CHINA: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GICNT TERMS OF

UNCLAS BEIJING 003475 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/CM AND ISN/WMDT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL PTER KGIC MNUC CH SUBJECT: CHINA: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GICNT TERMS OF REFERENCE DELIVERED REF: STATE 130750 ¶1. PolOff delivered reftel demarche informing China of the proposed amendments to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) Terms of Reference to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Nuclear Division Officer Xu Feng on December 28. Xu thanked PolOff for the draft Terms of Reference and said he would consult within the Chinese government "to see what we could contribute to the draft." Xu said that his understanding of the GICNT was that it was a forum for partners to exchange information on how to combat nuclear terrorism. In its current format, the GICNT was not "institutionalized" nor did there exist a permanent agency to conduct its work. With some of the proposed changes in the Terms of Reference, Xu asked whether the United States and Russia were looking to move the GICNT into a more "structured mechanism." ¶2. PolOff emphasized that the January 19, 2010 Exercise Planning Group (EPG) meeting would provide an opportunity for GICNT partners to discuss the proposed amendments before the June 2010 Plenary. Xu said that his office was considering a positive decision with regard to China's participation in the EPG and would "actively participate" in the discussions. Xu also asked PolOff whether Washington could provide more information about the proposed location for the June 2010 Plenary. PolOff agreed to convey Beijing's questions to Washington. GOLDBERG