PRC/SUDAN: CENTRAL PARTY COMMITTEE SAYS CHINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001416 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2029 TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI KDEM CH SU SUBJECT: PRC/SUDAN: CENTRAL PARTY COMMITTEE SAYS CHINA READY TO WORK WITH U.S. FOR STABILITY AND PEACE Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee International Department Director General Liu Denglin told Special Envoy for Sudan General Scott Gration May 25 that China would "spare no efforts" to bring about lasting peace and stability in Sudan. Initial implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had been "relatively smooth" but neither side had a clear sense of the CPA's ultimate outcome, said Liu. Accordingly, Liu concurred with SE Gration that much needed to be done in Sudan before the January 2011 referendum, particularly in promoting economic development in Southern Sudan. All factors (political, economic, and internal and external influences) must be considered to be successful, said Liu. DG Liu pledged to meet with SE Gration as often as needed to discuss issues in Sudan and welcomed a more sustained U.S.- China dialogue on Sudan issues. End summary. Sudan: Pre-2011 Referendum Challenges -------------- ¶2. (C) Special Envoy for Sudan General Scott Gration on May 25 told CPC DG Liu that the United States, China and the rest of the international community must begin working together in earnest to move the 2005 CPA forward. SE Gration invited China to participate in the June 23 CPA conference in Washington DC in order to create a renewed commitment to either bring unity to Sudan or to create an atmosphere in which independence for Southern Sudan would result in a viable and stable nation without a hostile northern border. DG Liu agreed that time was pressing and noted that despite four "relatively smooth" years since the CPA was signed, the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) lacked a clear attitude about what the result of the referendum on independence ought to be. However, the SPLM and NCP shared a consensus that economic development of Southern Sudan was the most important element in determining the eventual result, said Liu. CPA Implementation -------------- ¶3. (C) DG Liu noted disagreement between parties in the North and South about how implementation of the CPA was proceeding. While the North claimed it had delivered promised assistance, it said the assistance had not been used appropriately due to a lack of management ability in the South. Conversely, those in the South claimed the North had not provided promised assistance. Despite this, said Liu, both sides had "not given up" on Sudan's unity. DG Liu agreed with SE Gration that Sudan had reached a critical stage and that the international community should work together to help the factions resolve issues and maintain unity. He pledged that China would take an "active" role to contribute in this effort. ¶4. (C) Liu praised SE Gration's "comprehensive" and "strategic" approach to Sudan's problems based on looking at the nation "as a whole," taking into account all of the internal and external factors and influences. Liu agreed that the political, economic and historic factors must all be considered in order to attain a lasting, peaceful, and politically and economically viable solution. "This is the first time I have heard a comprehensive strategic view from your side" on Sudan, said Liu. DG Liu stressed the importance of remembering that it was "fundamentally up to the people of Sudan" to solve their problems, and that their culture and traditions must be respected. "You cannot impose" a solution, asserted Liu. ¶5. (C) The other key, said Liu, was economic development. Quoting Mao, DG Liu said that "when people are poor, they'll think about change, and when they can't live anymore, they'll try to change their way of life -- some by force." Therefore the best way to root out violence and create stability was to develop the economy. Central Party Committee Ready to Help -------------- ¶6. (C) In closing, Liu told SE Gration he was willing to meet again as necessary to work toward "creating a peaceful international environment. "China will spare no efforts for peace" in Sudan, Liu asserted. BEIJING 00001416 002 OF 002 PICCUTA