Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING91
2008-01-08 09:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

CHINA WILLING TO ASSIST GAMBARI BUT REMAINS

Tags:  PREL PHUM CH BM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6708
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #0091 0080957
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 080957Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4361
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000091 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/CM, EAP/MLS, P, DRL
NSC FOR DENNIS WILDER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2028
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM
SUBJECT: CHINA WILLING TO ASSIST GAMBARI BUT REMAINS
OPPOSED TO FURTHER UNSC ACTION ON BURMA

REF: A. 07 BEIJING 7657


B. EAP/CM-EMBASSY EMAIL OF JANUARY 2

C. 07 BEIJING 7197

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 000091

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/CM, EAP/MLS, P, DRL
NSC FOR DENNIS WILDER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2028
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM
SUBJECT: CHINA WILLING TO ASSIST GAMBARI BUT REMAINS
OPPOSED TO FURTHER UNSC ACTION ON BURMA

REF: A. 07 BEIJING 7657


B. EAP/CM-EMBASSY EMAIL OF JANUARY 2

C. 07 BEIJING 7197

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).


1. (C) Summary: China remains willing to assist UN Special
Advisor Gambari in his efforts to return to Burma but opposed
to addressing Burma in the UN Security Council, MFA Asia
Department Counselor Yang Jian told PolOff January 8.
Commenting on our points addressing MFA's December 29
"unofficial" demarche (refs A and B),Yang stated that China
continues to encourage the Burmese Government to be more
responsive to the needs of the Burmese people. In response
to Yang's query on the possibility of a follow-up to the June
2007 U.S.-Burma direct talks, PolOff explained that given the
behavior of the regime since the dialogue, we want to see
evidence of concrete progress before agreeing to furter
high-level talks. End summary.


2. (C) n response to the MFA "unofficial" demarche on
possible opposition "turmoil" in Burma (ref A),PolOff
delivered ref B points to Asia Department Counselor Yang Jian
January 8. Yang noted that China shares U.S. concerns about
stability, democracy and development in Burma but differs
with the United States on the best approach to Burma.


3. (C) Yang stated that though the United States regularly
calls on China to press the Burmese regime, China has been
encouraging Burmese leaders to take measures to better the
livelihood of Burmese citizens since before the latest crisis
began in August. The Chinese Government would like to see
dialogue between the Burmese Government and all parties in
Burma, Yang said, but since Burma is a sovereign country, we
"can only make suggestions."


4. (C) Yang said she accompanied VFM (and Special Envoy) Wang
Yi on his November 14-16 visit to Burma (ref C). During the
visit, she noted, the Burmese Government told VFM Wang that
opposition groups will be able to participate in the fourth
step of the so-called "roadmap" to democracy, a national
referendum on the draft constitution and elections.


5. (C) Yang affirmed that the Chinese government remains
supportive of Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari's mission and
suggested Gambari approach the Chinese directly if he needs
assistance in securing his return to Burma.


6. (C) Responding to Yang's query on the possibility of a
second round of high-level talks between the USG and the
Burmese Government, PolOff pointed out that we have not seen
evidence of concrete progress since the June round. Given
the behavior of the regime since then, we need to see
concrete progress before agreeing to further high-level talks.


7. (C) Yang stated that the Chinese remain opposed to
addressing Burma in the UN Security Council. "More Security
Council resolutions will not lead to more dialogue in Burma,"
Yang stated. PolOff responded that the behavior of the
regime in the coming weeks will be the key factor in
determining necessary next steps at the UN Security Council.
RANDT