CHINA SEEKS COOPERATION WITH UNITED STATES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003175 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/PB E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2033 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER CH PK SUBJECT: CHINA SEEKS COOPERATION WITH UNITED STATES ON MAINTAINING STABILITY IN POST-MUSHARRAF PAKISTAN REF: STATE 88734 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) China and the United States share a "huge" interest in helping Pakistan maintain political stability in the wake of Pakistan President Musharraf's August 18 resignation, MFA Asia Department Afghanistan and Pakistan Division Director Zhang Yiming told POLOFF August 19. In response to reftel points explaining the U.S. approach to Musharraf's resignation, Zhang said the international community, including the United States and China, should work to stabilize the situation in Pakistan "the sooner, the better." Zhang reiterated the substance of the MFA's August 18 public comment on the resignation, saying China "appreciates highly" Musharraf's role in deepening bilateral relations with China, but his resignation is Pakistan's "internal affair." China hopes Pakistan will maintain "political stability and economic progress" and believes the "friendly and cooperative relationship" will continue to "move forward," Zhang said. ¶2. (C) Zhang said China is concerned about the fate of Musharraf after his resignation and believes granting him immunity would be conducive to stabilizing the political situation in Pakistan and help prevent the eruption of further political infighting. Zhang agreed that the Pakistan Government must now concentrate on addressing the many problems facing the Pakistan people and expressed concern that food and energy crises are increasing general public dissatisfaction with the Coalition Government. He said that terrorism in Pakistan is a concern of the international community. ¶3. (C) Noting the ten-year cycle of alternating civilian and military rule in Pakistan, Zhang expressed hope that the "end of the Musharraf era" will not return Pakistan to "that sad state" of political instability and turmoil that typified civilian rule in the 1990s. In that context, Zhang affirmed the need for the United States and China to coordinate closely on Pakistan. RANDT