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