DEMARCHE: ADDITIONAL TROOPS FOR AMISOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000332 AFRICOM, AF/RSA, GA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019 TAGS: MCAP PINS PREL SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: ADDITIONAL TROOPS FOR AMISOM REF: STATE 110709 Classified By: Political Section Deputy Chief Ben Moeling for reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA International Organizations Department Deputy Director Shen Yinyin called PolOffs to the MFA November 16 to raise concerns about references to Taiwan in a technical assistance report the U.S. delegation distributed during the meeting of the Kimberly Process in Namibia. Noting that she was speaking under instructions, Shen related that the U.S. report stated that the "rough diamond trading entity of Chinese Taipei" had offered to sponsor two international participants to take part in a seminar in Taiwan on human resource management. ¶2. (C) Taiwan participates in the Kimberly Process through a "special arrangement," Shen continued. It is not a member, but rather an observer operating under the auspices of the World Diamond Council. It is in this capacity that it was represented in the Namibia plenary. As such it is not sovereign, not a member of the Kimberly Process, not entitled to participate in the process, and not able to invite members of the process to events. In the Namibia session, China expressed its "concern and dissatisfaction" at the U.S. report, and asked that the contents be revised and the report redistributed. The U.S. delegation refused, Shen related, saying that Taiwan had the right to participate as an observer. ¶3. (C) Shen reiterated China's One China principle, adding that Beijing "recognizes Taiwan's willingness to participate in international activities." "This can be arranged on a reasonable basis through practical considerations on both sides of the Strait," Shen stated. China had "arranged" for Taiwan's participation in the Kimberly process." The issue of the U.S. report is "highly politically sensitive, not just a technical question." The paper is "a serious political mistake," Shen averred. ¶4. (U) Poloff assured Shen that the report did not indicate any change in the U.S. one China policy and promised to relate her remarks to appropriate offices in Washington. HUNTSMAN