CHINA ON UNGA ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 003632 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA CH GG AF IR IZ LE BM ZI SUBJECT: CHINA ON UNGA ISSUES REF: A. STATE 97114 ¶B. STATE 93981 ¶C. USUN 840 ¶D. USUN 834 ¶E. BEIJING 3461 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons 1.4 (B/D). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo told PolOff September 19 that China's positions on Georgia and Burma are clear and unchanged. China has consistently supported peaceful resolution of problems in the Middle East. China noted that the United States did not object in the General Committee to inclusion on the UNGA agenda of a Serbian resolution proposing that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) give an advisory opinion on Kosovo. Sun indicated that China is unlikely to contribute financially to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Sun said that China supports Zimbabwe's September 15 Agreement and concurs with the U.S. view that the Agreement is a new opportunity for Zimbabwe. Finally, Sun stressed that China and the United States share "similar views" on UN Security Council reform; i.e., that any inter-governmental negotiation must be proceed with pre-established rules and achieve the widest possible consensus. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Drawing on ref A points, PolOff discussed UN General Assembly (UNGA) issues with MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo on September 19. On September 16, the MFA posted a position paper on UNGA issues on its website. Georgia -------------- ¶3. (C) After PolOff noted that MFA's position paper on the 63rd UNGA session made no mention of the conflict in Georgia, Sun replied that China's position on Georgia is "clear and unchanged." Middle East -------------- ¶4. (C) Sun said that China has consistently supported peaceful resolution of problems in the Middle East and will continue to do so. Sun added that the Chinese Government has long provided humanitarian support for the Palestinian people and will continue to do so. Sun did not reply when PolOff urged China to refrain from supporting resolutions that contain one-sided criticism of Israel. ¶5. (U) The MFA's position paper on UNGA states "the International Conference on the Middle East held in Annapolis has achieved positive progress," and "the international community should respect the religious and ethnic features of the Arab countries, take into account...the reality of the Middle East, and establish a balanced and effective peace mechanism to work for a just, enduring and comprehensive settlement of the Middle East issue." Kosovo -------------- ¶6. (C) After PolOff conveyed U.S. opposition to a Serbian resolution requesting an ICJ advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence, Sun said that China noted that the United States did not object in the General Committee to the inclusion of the resolution on the UNGA agenda. ¶7. (U) MFA's position paper on Kosovo says only that the Serbian Government and Kosovo authorities should reach a "mutually acceptable solution through negotiation." Afghanistan BEIJING 00003632 002 OF 003 -------------- ¶8. (C) Sun said that he understands that "compromise language" for the preamble of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mandate renewal is circulating in New York. "China will consult closely with other concerned parties to reach consensus" on the mandate renewal, Sun said. ¶9. (U) The MFA position paper notes the importance of the situation in Afghanistan to international peace and stability and calls on the international community to "intensify coordination." The paper states that "China supports the UN in continuing to play a leading role in resolving the Afghanistan issue." Iran -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Sun said that he would leave discussion of the Iran nuclear issue to the P5-plus-one channel. MFA's position paper calls on parties to show "flexibility" and to resolve the nuclear issue "through dialogue and negotiation." Iraq -------------- ¶11. (C) Sun said that China has consistently supported the Iraqi Government's efforts to regain stability and sovereignty and will continue to do so. China supports the International Compact and endorses "efforts to assist Iraq in establishing harmonious relations with its neighbors." Sun offered no substantive reply on the question of Iraq's debt. ¶12. (U) MFA's psition paper states further that "China consiers it necessary to give full play to the importnt role of the UN in resolving the Iraq issue" Lebanon -------------- ¶13. (C) China has consistently supported resolution of problems in Lebanon through dialogue and consultation, Sun said. He indicated that China, which abstained on the resolution establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, would probably not contribute financially to the Tribunal. MFA's position paper makes no mention of Lebanon. Burma -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Sun said that China's position on Burma is well-known and has not changed. MFA's position paper states that the international community should provide "constructive assistance" to Burma and that "imposing sanctions and exerting pressure will not help solve the issue." The paper also states that the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his advisor "require patience and persistence." Zimbabwe -------------- ¶15. (C) Sun said that China supports the September 15 agreement and agreed that the Agreement provides a new opportunity for Zimbabwe. Sun indicated that China may find it difficult to go along with a new statement in the UNSC on Zimbabwe. ¶16. (U) The MFA's position paper states that "the Zimbabwe issue is an internal affair of Zimbabwe" and "the current problems should mainly be resolved by the Zimbabwean people independently." UNSC Reform -------------- ¶17. (C) Sun said that China and the United States share "similar views" on UNSC reform and agree that any inter-governmental negotiation must be proceed with pre-established rules and achieve the widest possible BEIJING 00003632 003 OF 003 consensus. Sun said that the results of the recent UNGA plenary session stipulated that the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) must first agree on procedures before proceeding to inter-governmental negotiations. "There was no green light to proceed to any voting," Sun said, and "wide consensus" is still necessary for agreement. ¶18. (U) The MFA position paper states that "priority should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African countries, in the Security Council." RANDT