DRC ASKS PRC TO NOT SUPPORT MONUC RENEWAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003377 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2029 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA CH UNSC KPKO SUBJECT: DRC ASKS PRC TO NOT SUPPORT MONUC RENEWAL REF: STATE 128783 (NOTAL) ¶1. (C) The DRC had recently approached China to request PRC support to prevent renewal of MONUC's mandate, MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Affairs Division Second Secretary Xu Zhongsheng told PolOff December 17 in response to reftel points urging PRC agreement to support the current French draft resolution on renewing MONUC. Xu suggested that although the DRC supported MONUC's objectives, the DRC government would like MONUC operations to gradually wind down and cease operations in the DRC. While not commenting on the effect of the DRC's request on the PRC position, Xu emphasized the PRC's stance was consistent and that the PRC remained committed to MONUC with its 216 member staff and 16 working in the field as advisors. China appreciated U.S. interest in the DRC and believed that U.S. and Chinese cooperation, as P-5 members, was of most importance to ensure peace prevails, he said. Xu said he would ensure the information was conveyed to the appropriate officials. ¶2. (C) Xu explained DRC's position as one of "sovereign pride," particularly in the context of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Congolese independence in 2010. The DRC hoped that peace may be achieved by 2010 without the presence of MONUC, so as to demonstrate to the international community at that historically significant period that the DRC "can take care of itself," according to Xu. GOLDBERG