CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002675 SIPDIS IO/UNP -- REBECCA GOLDENBERG USUN FOR JEFFREY DELAURENTIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018 TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI CH SUBJECT: CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION REF: STATE 73173 Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason s 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) POLOFF on July 9 delivered to MFA reftel points urging China to support a UNSC resolution on Zimbabwe. MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo said China would have "major difficulty" supporting a resolution at the current time. Sun said that China shares the concern of the United States and other countries about the situation in Zimbabwe, but has a "policy difference" on the use of sanctions, which China generally opposes. China believes that international issues are best solved through dialogue and consultation, not sanctions. ¶2. (C) Sun said African countries share China's opposition to sanctions. The latest African Union statement had called on the parties to the Zimbabwe dispute to resolve differences through dialogue and called on other countries to refrain from actions that might have a negative impact on the climate for dialogue. South African President Mbeki, who is leading Southern African Development Community (SADC) efforts to mediate the Zimbabwe dispute, also opposes sanctions and has appealed to the international community to give SADC mediation efforts more time, Sun said. Even the Government of Botswana, which is cited in the reftel points delivered by PolOff, has clearly stated its opposition to sanctions, Sun added. POLOFF responded that President Mugabe's violent actions demonstrated his disdain for the views of the international community. While the United States supports mediation efforts, the prospect of pressure enhances mediation's prospects of success. Sun reiterated that China does not regard sanctions as a proper tool for resolving international disputes. RANDT