CHINA URGED NOT TO DELIVER A NATIONAL STATEMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000548


STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR ISN/RA: RICHARD NEPHEW, BRECK HEIDLBERG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2025
TAGS: PARM EMIN TRGY ETTC MNUC KNNP PREL CH IR
SUBJECT: CHINA URGED NOT TO DELIVER A NATIONAL STATEMENT ON
IRAN AT IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS

REF: STATE 19806

Classified By: Political Section Regional Unit Chief Mark Lambert. Rea
sons 1.4 (B/D).


1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel demarche urging China to not
deliver a national statement on Iran at the IAEA Board of
Governors meeting to MFA Department of Arms Control and
Disarmament Department Nuclear Division Deputy Director Shen
Jian on the morning of March 4. Shen noted previous receipt
by China of reftel demarche in both Washington and at China's
IAEA mission, and said China would "coordinate with the
United States and other P5-plus-1 nations" in Vienna before
deciding whether to deliver its statement.


2. (C) Shen continued by adding that, if China decided to
proceed, the statement would be "completely" in line with the
P5-plus-1 joint statement by: "taking notice of the Director
General's report and Iran's lack of cooperation"; appealing
for the dispute to "be resolved through diplomatic means and
negotiation"; and urging Iran to "fully implement and comply
with all relevant IAEA and UN resolutions."


PICCUTA