PRC SPECIAL ENVOY LIU GUIJIN ON CHINESE POLICY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000845 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KPKO MARR UNSC SU CH SUBJECT: PRC SPECIAL ENVOY LIU GUIJIN ON CHINESE POLICY TOWARD DARFUR Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Solving the situation in Darfur requires pressure from the international community on both the Government of Sudan and rebel forces, Chinese Special Envoy for Darfur Liu Guijin said in a March 7 briefing for diplomats and the press on his February 21-March 6 trip to the UK, France, Chad and Sudan. Rebel forces in Darfur seek an "everlasting war" situation to increase their influence, he said. Contrary to negative press reporting, the Government of Sudan has taken steps to overcome technical difficulties in UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) deployment, but issues related to Troop Contributing Countries and helicopters remain outstanding. China is not the largest supplier of arms to Africa and follows strict policies regarding who is eligible to purchase arms. Linking arms sales to the Olympics is "not fair." China has made many constructive contributions to Darfur, including in the areas of water supply, power stations, temporary schools and homes, and financial donations to the UN and AU. China is providing engineers to Darfur, but does not plan to provide combat troops at this time. China's position on Darfur is fundamentally the same as that of Western nations; there are differences only in the means and priorities to go about achieving the goals of peace and stability in the region, Liu argued. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Chinese Special Envoy for Darfur Liu Guijin briefed Beijing-based journalists and diplomats March 7, following his just-completed trip to the UK, Sudan, Chad and France. Strategy for Solving Darfur Problem -------------- ¶3. (U) Liu said that to reach a solution in Darfur, the international community must: -- remember that Darfur is part of Sudan's sovereign territory; -- convince rebels to cooperate, negotiate and stop attacking government troops; -- increase coordination between and among the Sudanese government, the rebels, and peacekeepers to overcome remaining technical obstacles to UNAMID deployment; -- pay more attention to the nations surrounding Sudan, because rebel groups are spread across borders; and -- make coherent efforts and not send the wrong message to rebels. Liu added that the Sudanese Government should "be more sincere" in solving outstanding issues and be more receptive to outside suggestions. The Sudanese government should particularly take steps to decrease casualties in the region, he said. Deteriorating Western Darfur: Blame the Rebels -------------- - ¶4. (U) Liu Guijin blamed the current deterioration of the security situation in western Darfur on the rebels. In December 2007, Liu said, rebels began attacking government troops, resulting in retaliation that led to casualties. Liu said he expressed to Sudanese President Bashir Chinese concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in western Darfur and subsequent loss of life in the region. Liu said the security situation is extremely complicated and urged the international community to put pressure on all parties to end the violence. China has been using its influence to improve the situation, but rebel groups feel they gain influence by creating an "everlasting war" situation. To solve the situation, all parties should participate in a political solution. Technical Delays: Some Solved . . . -------------- ¶5. (U) Liu said many technical problems are delaying deployment of UNAMID troops, but that many previous problems have now been solved. Liu cited the February signing of a Status of Forces Agreement; clearance for night flights; new land-use rights, which the Sudanese Government had systematically purchased from local tribes and granted to UNAMID; smoother customs clearance for items related to peacekeeping; and better access for peacekeeping personnel. BEIJING 00000845 002 OF 003 . . . But Some Still Outstanding -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Liu said two issues remain to be solved to speed troop deployment. He said Khartoum must be more flexible on Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) and allow Thai and Nepali soldiers to participate. Liu said if Khartoum is more flexible, peacekeeping forces will have more leeway should some African troops not meet necessary standards. In addition, peacekeeping forces still need helicopters, Liu said. (Note: At this point, Liu lost his temper, shouting that Sudan had in fact taken many steps to aid UNAMID deployment and that journalists should be more professional and report in a balanced and honest way.) Allegations of Chinese Arms Sales -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Liu said China has strict standards on arms sales. China will only sell arms to States, not to non-State actors or liberation movements, limits the quantities of arms sold and strictly checks end-users to ensure that arms are not passed to third parties. Conceding that some Chinese weapons had been found in Darfur, he compared them to the approximately 190,000 U.S.-manufactured arms he said are in the hands of Iraqi insurgents. He said China has not accused the U.S. Government of supplying those arms to Iraqi insurgents, but they prove that a government cannot guarantee arms will not end up in the hands of rebels. Liu also cited NGO reports that the United States is the single largest supplier of arms to Africa. According to these reports, China supplied only three percent of all arms sales to the continent of Africa, behind the United States, the UK, Russia and Germany. (Note: Liu again lost his temper when discussing arms sales, shouting that linking arms sales to the Olympics is "not fair.") China's Aid to Darfur -------------- ¶8. (U) Asked what specific projects China had undertaken to improve the situation in Darfur, Liu said that he visited a Chinese water supply project to drill 85 wells to provide clean drinking water in southern Sudan. He said the Chinese government also provided about 20 small power stations and donated about USD 11 million for ambulances and land rovers. Chinese engineers, the first non-African troops to arrive in Darfur, have built makeshift houses and schools and are preparing the way for other troops to arrive. The second tranche of Chinese engineers will deploy soon, once the UN gives orders for them to do so, Liu said. China has always supported the UN and African Union in Darfur and has contributed USD 500 thousand to their efforts. China's Position the Same as Western Countries -------------- - ¶9. (U) China's position in Darfur is fundamentally the same as that of Western nations, Liu said. China agrees on the need to speed deployment of the UNAMID force, to reach a political solution and to unite the international community to exert equal pressure on the Sudanese Government and rebel forces. China differs with Western nations only on the means of implementing these goals. China has been working to create a positive environment of mutual understanding so that all parties can work constructively together, despite differences on modalities. Engineers, Not Combat Troops -------------- ¶10. (U) Asked about an alleged statement by Secretary Rice that China is ready to provide combat troops in Darfur, Liu said that he is unaware of any such plans. China is focusing on deploying the remaining engineers to China to fulfill previously stated commitments. Darfur: Is It Genocide? -------------- ¶11. (U) Asked about the term "genocide" in Darfur, including its use in the phrase "Genocide Olympics," Liu said the situation in Darfur is so undeniably severe that there is no BEIJING 00000845 003 OF 003 need to debate semantics. China is saddened by the loss of life and gives considerable amounts of humanitarian assistance to the region. As for the term "Genocide Olympics," China welcomes advice, as well as constructive comments or criticism of its policies. However, China opposes groups that criticize China with the sole aim of tarnishing China's image. China is, however, willing to hold dialogues with critics, and Liu noted that he met the "Save Darfur" Coalition during his last trip to the United States. Meeting with Rebels -------------- ¶12. (U) Liu said China does not have formal contact with rebel groups, but he met some rebels engaged in the political peace process, including Minni Minnawi of the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM),who now works as Senior Assistant to Sudanese President Bashir. In southern Darfur, Liu met leaders from the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM),the SLM and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). In these meetings, he aimed to convey China's desire to be friends with all of the Sudanese people. House Resolution: No Olympic Travel -------------- ¶13. (U) Responding to a question on a report of a proposed U.S. Congressional resolution to bar funding for U.S. Government travel to the Olympics aside from that of President Bush, Liu reminded journalists that politicization is not in keeping with the spirit of the Olympics. He quoted the German Olympic Committee President as saying "sports should be a bridge to connect people." The international community understands that China is being constructive in Darfur, and any connection of Darfur t the Olympics is unreasonable. People who lik problems in UNAMID deployment to the Olympics are only trying to defame China, Liu concluded. RANDT