CHINA WILLING TO ASSIST GAMBARI BUT REMAINS

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