Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING4147
2008-11-06 07:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
PRC-PAKISTAN NUCLEAR COOPERATION: CHINA WILL ABIDE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 004147
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/CM, ISN/RA MENNIS, SCA/RA JMCCLELLAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC PGOV AORC ECON CH PK
SUBJECT: PRC-PAKISTAN NUCLEAR COOPERATION: CHINA WILL ABIDE
BY INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS, MFA SAYS
REF: STATE 117453 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4
(B/D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 004147
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/CM, ISN/RA MENNIS, SCA/RA JMCCLELLAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC PGOV AORC ECON CH PK
SUBJECT: PRC-PAKISTAN NUCLEAR COOPERATION: CHINA WILL ABIDE
BY INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS, MFA SAYS
REF: STATE 117453 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4
(B/D).
1. (C) The United States need not be concerned about
China-Pakistan civilian nuclear cooperation, because China
will "strictly abide" by obligations and commitments it has
made to the international community, MFA Asian Affairs
Department Afghanistan and Pakistan Division Director Zhang
Yiming told PolMinCouns November 6 in response to reftel
points expressing U.S. concern about reported PRC-Pakistan
agreement to build additional nuclear power plants in
Pakistan. While not commenting on either the substance of
China's NSG commitments or the specifics of possible plans
for Chasma III and IV nuclear reactors or other projects,
Director Zhang noted China's oft-iterated position supporting
countries' rights to pursue peaceful nuclear energy in
accordance with international nonproliferation norms.
2. (C) Pressed on the nature of China's future nuclear
cooperation with Pakistan, Director Zhang only noted that
"interest is high" in Pakistan for future cooperation. Asked
how China would propose to reconcile its NSG commitments with
any nuclear cooperation with Pakistan beyond that outlined in
-- and therefore grandfathered by -- its 2004 NSG statement,
Zhang declined to provide further details, saying only that
he would convey U.S. concerns and requests for clarification
to his superiors and to the MFA Arms Control Department
(which since the October 3 USG announcement of arms sales to
Taiwan is not taking our requests for meetings).
3. (C) Director Zhang said that China and Pakistan are
neighboring countries and that Pakistan is an important
strategic partner of China in South Asia. China attaches
special importance to "mutually beneficial cooperation" with
Pakistan, Zhang said, emphasizing that such bilateral
cooperation is "not aimed at any third country." Director
Zhang stated that solid China-Pakistan relations can "help
stabilize security in the region, not jeopardize it." Noting
that Chasma I and II are under IAEA safeguards, Director
Zhang said that Pakistan is facing an energy crisis that
could threaten the stability of the economy.
4. (SBU) Director Zhang suggested increasing consultations
with the United States on Pakistan and welcomed the idea of
another round of the U.S.-China SCA sub-dialogue.
5. (SBU) Note: Post contacted both the German and UK
Embassies regarding delivery of this demarche. Neither had
received instructions on this issue, so Post delivered points
to MFA without their participation.
RANDT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/CM, ISN/RA MENNIS, SCA/RA JMCCLELLAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC PGOV AORC ECON CH PK
SUBJECT: PRC-PAKISTAN NUCLEAR COOPERATION: CHINA WILL ABIDE
BY INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS, MFA SAYS
REF: STATE 117453 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4
(B/D).
1. (C) The United States need not be concerned about
China-Pakistan civilian nuclear cooperation, because China
will "strictly abide" by obligations and commitments it has
made to the international community, MFA Asian Affairs
Department Afghanistan and Pakistan Division Director Zhang
Yiming told PolMinCouns November 6 in response to reftel
points expressing U.S. concern about reported PRC-Pakistan
agreement to build additional nuclear power plants in
Pakistan. While not commenting on either the substance of
China's NSG commitments or the specifics of possible plans
for Chasma III and IV nuclear reactors or other projects,
Director Zhang noted China's oft-iterated position supporting
countries' rights to pursue peaceful nuclear energy in
accordance with international nonproliferation norms.
2. (C) Pressed on the nature of China's future nuclear
cooperation with Pakistan, Director Zhang only noted that
"interest is high" in Pakistan for future cooperation. Asked
how China would propose to reconcile its NSG commitments with
any nuclear cooperation with Pakistan beyond that outlined in
-- and therefore grandfathered by -- its 2004 NSG statement,
Zhang declined to provide further details, saying only that
he would convey U.S. concerns and requests for clarification
to his superiors and to the MFA Arms Control Department
(which since the October 3 USG announcement of arms sales to
Taiwan is not taking our requests for meetings).
3. (C) Director Zhang said that China and Pakistan are
neighboring countries and that Pakistan is an important
strategic partner of China in South Asia. China attaches
special importance to "mutually beneficial cooperation" with
Pakistan, Zhang said, emphasizing that such bilateral
cooperation is "not aimed at any third country." Director
Zhang stated that solid China-Pakistan relations can "help
stabilize security in the region, not jeopardize it." Noting
that Chasma I and II are under IAEA safeguards, Director
Zhang said that Pakistan is facing an energy crisis that
could threaten the stability of the economy.
4. (SBU) Director Zhang suggested increasing consultations
with the United States on Pakistan and welcomed the idea of
another round of the U.S.-China SCA sub-dialogue.
5. (SBU) Note: Post contacted both the German and UK
Embassies regarding delivery of this demarche. Neither had
received instructions on this issue, so Post delivered points
to MFA without their participation.
RANDT