AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN: CONSULTATIONS REVEAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003331

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID SNAR EINV PARM PTER ECON MASS
PK, AF, CH
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN: CONSULTATIONS REVEAL
COMMON U.S.-CHINA INTERESTS

Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reasons
1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) An eight-member U.S. delegation held bilateral
consultations in Beijing November 12 on potential areas for
future collaboration with China in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Throughout the consultations, the U.S. delegation stressed
the many areas of aligned strategic interests of the United
States and the PRC in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and sought to
identify tangible, low-profile, but high-impact ways to
coordinate in the future, frequently bringing the
conversation from a general level to specific areas of
potential cooperation. For the most part, MFA
representatives delivered standard talking points about
common interests and Chinese concerns about non-interference
in internal affairs and peaceful co-existence with neighbors.
By holding the working-level talks before the President's
November trip to Beijing, however, the U.S. delegation
succeeded in establishing the importance of cooperation in
Afghanistan and Pakistan to our bilateral agenda. While the
Chinese made clear that this forum was held at the U.S.
behest, they also stated repeatedly that they appreciated
ongoing regular consultations.


2. (C) While meaningful cooperation with the United States in
the short term likely will remain limited, the Chinese were
willing to discuss specific proposals in ongoing
consultations. They welcomed a constructive U.S. role
supporting stability and development in the region. In
particular, they expressed appreciation of U.S. involvement
in Afghanistan, though notably they made little mention of
U.S. efforts in Pakistan. They emphasized America's "great
responsibility" in the region, but appreciated hearing that
the United States does not intend a permanent military
presence. They stressed an overarching goal of regional
stability based on (1) Afghan stabilization and
reconstruction; (2) support for Pakistani stability; (3)
India-Pakistan dialogue and peace; and (4) fighting the
symptoms and root causes of terrorism. For both Afghanistan
and Pakistan, the PRC interlocutors emphasized that as a
"developing country," China provides assistance "to the best
of our ability."


3. (C) The consultations covered four main areas of civilian
support: (1) assistance focused on health, education, etc.;
(2) improving well-being (with hospitals, irrigation
projects, etc); (3) building human capacity (training of
diplomats, professionals, etc.); and (4) encouraging
investment by Chinese companies (e.g., the Aynak copper
mine). In all of these areas, PRC interlocutors offered few
details about their activities. They made it clear that they
were sympathetic to Pakistan's concerns about being lumped
with Afghanistan, had no plans to appoint a Special
Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and will not
likely join the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (though the
PRC will continue to participate in meetings). China prefers
to conduct its relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan
bilaterally.


4. (C) In closing the consultation, the U.S. delegation
again sought to establish concrete ways to continue to
explore further collaboration. The Chinese said that, as a
whole, China welcomed the U.S. ideas, appreciated having
these ideas on the table for examination, and expressed
interest in follow-up discussions, while also noting their
intent to pursue bilateral plans. Among the ideas for future
follow-up were:

--Working on an agreed document for laying out a way forward
on Af/Pak consultations and possible areas of collaboration.

--A U.S.-China Development Discussion, to be held either in
Kabul or in Washington DC and to cover: (1)
information-sharing and training on counter-narcotics; (2)
cooperation on expanding regional agricultural capacity,
including on crop substitution, or founding an agricultural
demonstration center; (3) possible Chinese infrastructure
projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including a railroad
extension, an East-West road, and a dam; and (4) joint
educational and health initiatives, including potentially in
training programs for skills that will ultimately benefit
Chinese interests (e.g., engineers, skilled laborers).


BEIJING 00003331 002 OF 002


--A meeting between PRC energy experts and State Department
Coordinator for International Energy Affairs David Goldwyn
and others from the State Department to exchange information
on Pakistan's energy needs, which could potentially be
expanded to also discuss other areas of mutual interest,
including education and training needs in Pakistan, and
counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism initiatives.


5. (U) The delegation cleared this cable.
GOLDBERG