Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1434
2009-05-31 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PARM KNNP MOPS KN KS CH 
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O 311344Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4202
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
NSC WASHDC
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
-------

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