PRC SPECIAL ENVOY LAYS OUT POSITION ON GAZA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000165

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MEPP CH IS
SUBJECT: PRC SPECIAL ENVOY LAYS OUT POSITION ON GAZA,
STRESSES NEED FOR PALESTINIAN STATE, DERIDES HAMAS

REF: EAP/CM-EMBASSY EMAIL 1/20/09

Classified By: Minister Counselor for Political Affairs Aubrey Carlson.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: China's Special Envoy to the Middle East
Peace Process Ambassador Sun Bigan described for PolMinCouns
January 20 the five principles that China believes are
necessary for progress in the Middle East Peace Process in
light of the current situation in Gaza. In addition to
calling for a ceasefire and allowing provision of
humanitarian assistance, Sun stressed the importance of
comprehensive negotiations that lead to the establishment of
a Palestinian state. He said that Hamas' "reasoning" is not
helpful but that Hamas' presence is a "reality" that must be
considered. Sun expressed concern over the monitoring and
implementation of a ceasefire but added that China welcomes
Egyptian efforts at mediation as well as U.S. engagement on
the issue. PolMinCouns told Sun that the United States
welcomes China's diplomatic engagement and appreciates the
humanitarian assistance China has provided. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process
Ambassador Sun Bigan briefed PolMinCouns January 20 on his
January 12-15 trip to the Middle East where he met with
Egyptian, Arab League, Israeli and Palestinian leaders to
discuss the crisis in Gaza. He said the purpose of his trip
was to deepen China's understanding of developments in Gaza
and the Middle East Peace Process, present the Chinese
position on the crisis and promote the peaceful resolution of
the issues through dialogue.


3. (C) Ambassador Sun said that the Chinese Government was
monitoring developments in the Middle East closely and was
very concerned about the situation, a concern reflected in
recent telephone discussions on the issue between President
Hu and President Bush and between Foreign Minister Yang and
Secretary Rice.


4. (C) Sun reported that while in Egypt, he met with Egyptian
Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, Intelligence Chief Omar Suliman
and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa. In Israel, he
met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni and in the Palestinian Territories with
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas as well as
the PA Minister for Social Affairs. He said he did not meet
with representatives of Hamas.


5. (C) Sun presented the five major points of China's
position on the current situation in the Middle East,
stressing that these points did not constitute a new position
but rather a continuation of previous policy:

-- China calls on all parties concerned to abide by UNSC
Resolution 1860 and implement a cease-fire immediately.

-- Measures should be taken to ease the humanitarian crisis
in Gaza. A stable channel for supply of aid, including food,
medicine and fuel, should be opened as soon as possible, and
all parties concerned should provide the necessary guarantees
for this channel.

-- The parties concerned should establish, through
negotiation, a ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Gaza and
work to create durable security and stability there.

-- The Palestine-Israel peace talks should resume as soon as
possible, and efforts should be made to seek the resolution
of issues related to the final status of Palestine on the
basis of mutual trust, so that an independent Palestinian
state can be established as early as possible, with the two
states co-existing peacefully.

-- The international community should increase mediation
efforts for peace and promote a comprehensive, just and
durable settlement of the Middle East issue. China is ready
to work with the parties concerned and make unremitting
efforts in this regard.


6. (C) Asked China's position on Hamas, Sun said that the
existence of Hamas in Gaza was a "reality" that had to be
considered, but added that Hamas' "reasoning" was unhelpful.
He stressed the need for Palestinian Authority President
Abbas to act as the leader for all Palestinian territories.
Sun said that China called on Hamas to renounce violence and
enter into dialogue with Israel and other relevant parties to
resolve the current crisis. He said the Hamas issue could
not be solved by force. He wondered how the current
ceasefire would be monitored and if oversight would be

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sufficient.


7. (C) Sun stressed that the "most fundamental" resolution to
the Middle East issue had to come through negotiation that
leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Such
negotiations would require the action and support of the UN
and the Arab League. He added that the role of the United
States in this process would be critical and that China hoped
to coordinate with the United States on the issue. Sun
welcomed statements that the United States would continue to
address the Mid-East situation. Sun noted that China
welcomed and supported Egypt's efforts to mediate in the
crisis.


8. (C) Drawing on ref email points, PolMinCouns told
Ambassador Sun that the United States welcomed China's
diplomatic engagement in the region and China's contribution
of humanitarian assistance. He told Sun that the United
States condemned Hamas attacks against civilians and held
Hamas fully responsible for the renewal of violence. He made
clear that the United States actively supported the mediation
efforts of Egypt and encouraged China to likewise support
efforts that lead to a durable ceasefire and sustainable
peace in Gaza.
PICCUTA