PRC/DPRK: CHINA RESPONDS WITH SPECIFICITY TO U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001434 E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2034 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP MOPS KN KS CH SUBJECT: PRC/DPRK: CHINA RESPONDS WITH SPECIFICITY TO U.S. DRAFT REF: 5/30/09 ANDERSON-PICCUTA EMAIL Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Daniel Piccuta. Reasons 1.4 (b /d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) China supported adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution that would respond appropriately to the May 25 DPRK nuclear test, MFA Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told Charge d'Affaires May 31. The resolution would demonstrate the international community's seriousness in safeguarding the nonproliferation regime, would exert pressure on Pyongyang, but would also leave room for the DPRK to "turn around," said He. Denuclearization and long-term peace and stability of the region would not be achieved through sanctions alone, but would also depend on dialogue and negotiation, said VFM He. Regarding the U.S.-proposed draft resolution, China believed the resolution should: refer specifically to Article 41 of Chapter VII; avoid listing current DPRK leaders in the sanctions list; take into account humanitarian issues; recognize the danger of accidental military confrontation that could arise from interdiction; seek a limited arms embargo as opposed to a total arms embargo; strengthen the reversibility of sanctions; and urge all parties to exercise restraint. The Charge reviewed and highlighted reftel points. End Summary. China Urges Appropriate Response -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA Vice Foreign Minister He told the Charge D'Affaires that China's position was clear regarding the May 25 DPRK nuclear test. China had publicly stated its firm opposition to the nuclear test, had urged the DPRK to remain committed to its promise of denuclearization, and had urged Pyongyang to return to the Six-Party Talks. Relevant parties needed to keep a "cool head" and seek a proper solution to the DPRK nuclear issue through peaceful negotiation and dialogue, said VFM He. China supported the adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) that would respond appropriately to the nuclear test, said VFM He. The resolution would demonstrate the international community's seriousness in safeguarding the nonproliferation regime, would exert pressure on Pyongyang, but also would leave room for the DPRK to "turn around," said He. It was imperative that the international community did not create a situation whereby North Korea felt cornered or compelled to behave in a reckless manner. Denuclearization and long-term peace and stability of the region would not be achieved through UNSCR sanctions alone, but would depend on dialogue and negotiation as well, said VFM He. Comments on U.S. Draft -------------- ¶3. (C) China conveyed the following comments regarding the U.S.-proposed draft resolution (which the PRC Embassy in Washington would convey to Washington as well): a) China believed that the resolution should refer specifically to Article 41 of Chapter VII. b) Regarding the designation of additional entities and individuals to the sanctions list, China believed that this should be based on "verifiable acts." Beijing was opposed to the inclusion of current North Korean leaders listed on the sanctions list. c) The Security Council would consider financial sanctions to an "appropriate" level that would not affect the livelihood of the North Korean people or have a detrimental impact on development or humanitarian issues. These measures would be limited and restricted to the DPRK's nuclear and missile program. d) China was concerned about the possibility of accidental military confrontation that would arise from interdiction of suspected cargo and the national and international legal issues it involved. e) China would be willing to consider a limited arms embargo, possibly moving a few steps beyond what had already been prohibited by UNSCR 1718, but was concerned about a total arms embargo. f) Beijing urged strengthening the reversibility of sanctions. g) China urged all sides to remain cool, to exercise restraint, and to refrain from further aggravating the situation. Beijing wanted these points reflected in the resolution's preamble. Let's Cooperate -------------- ¶4. (C) VFM He expressed hope that China and the United States, in close cooperation with each other, would quickly adopt a resolution that was balanced in substance and reflected an appropriate response to the DPRK nuclear test, said He. There was good cooperation between the two countries on this issue because Beijing and Washington had taken a long-term view and strategic perspective of the situation. Beijing "cherished" its cooperation with Washington and would do its best to accommodate U.S. concerns through continued consultation, cooperation and communication. VFM He said he hoped Washington would note Chinese concerns and would make the necessary adjustments. On a separate note, Beijing would reach out to Tokyo and Seoul and VFM He urged Washington to "quietly talk" to Japan and the ROK as well. DPRK and Iran are Very Different -------------- ¶5. (C) The Charge thanked VFM He for China's views on the draft Security Council resolution and agreed to convey the points to Washington. The Charge reviewed and highlighted reftel points. He noted that the strong sanctions regime being sought in the Security Council was meant to change the DPRK government's behavior and not to have a negative impact on the North Korean people. The Charge also stressed the importance of making the DPRK sanctions regime stronger than the Iran sanctions regime. In response, VFM noted that Iran and North Korea were two different and distinct issues. While there were some similarities between the Iranian and North Korea nuclear dimensions -- these were two different cases, he asserted. We needed to be very careful and take into account the prevailing circumstances in the Northeast Asia region in dealing with the North Korea nuclear issue, said VFM He. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to the Charge's question about the effectiveness of continued bilateral and multilateral engagement with North Korea, VFM He said that the Six-Party Talks, direct U.S.-DPRK engagement, and Sino-DPRK engagement were all important channels to maintaining regional stability. Peace and stability would not come through military conflict, but through negotiation and dialogue, he opined. During recent meetings between the DPRK and China, North Korea had no "encouraging" words for China, said VFM He. Nevertheless, it was important not to lose hope. PICCUTA NNNN End Cable Text