PRC: "NO PROBLEM" WITH CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT INPUT;

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002761

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP- KEVIN SHEIVES

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2028
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ASEAN CH
SUBJECT: PRC: "NO PROBLEM" WITH CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT INPUT;
WILL NOT DUPLICATE ARF DISASTER RELIEF SYSTEM

REF: A. STATE 74383 (NOTAL)

B. EAP-EMBASSY 07/15 EMAIL

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) MFA Asia Department Asian Multilateral Security
Division Director Ma Jia told PolOff July 16 that from the
MFA perspective, China has "no problem" with the substance of
points (ref A) the USG would like included in a regional
disaster preparedness section of the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF) Chairman's Statement for the July 24 ARF Ministerial
Meeting in Singapore. She noted, however, that discussions
with her counterparts in the Ministry of Civil Affairs have
been limited because they are still occupied with Sichuan
earthquake relief efforts. She also pointed out a "technical
problem," saying that Chairman's statements usually reflect
consensus and general principles and not the level of detail
contained in the U.S. non-paper.


2. (C) Director Ma said that in consultations with Singapore
Government counterparts, she has learned that Singapore
wishes to include the following three principles in its
Chairman's Statement:

-- It is the responsibility of disaster-hit countries to
quickly and effectively bring humanitarian relief to people
in their territories.

-- Where necessary, they should facilitate the entry of
humanitarian aid from other countries and international
organizations.

-- Any external help shall have the consent of the affected
countries, and it should come under their overall control and
supervision.


3. (C) Drawing on points in ref B, PolOff noted U.S. concern
about the outcome of a recent PRC Ministry of National
Defense-hosted ASEAN-plus-three workshop on Armed Forces and
Disaster Relief, pointing out that discussions of standard
operating procedures and Standby Arrangement Systems for
Disaster Relief within the ASEAN-plus-three context would
seem to duplicate similar initiatives in ARF. Ma replied
that the workshop "was just a seminar" for discussion of
possible coordinative disaster relief measures among
ASEAN-plus-three members given the difficulty achieving
consensus in ARF. Pressed on the appearance of creating
duplicative disaster relief systems in ASEAN plus three,
Director Ma said "we won't do that," adding ARF is much
further along on this issue than ASEAN plus three, and
therefore it is unclear what measures ASEAN plus three could
implement that are not already addressed by ARF.
RANDT