March 5 MFA Press Briefing: Sudan, Afghanistan, Tibet

UNCLAS BEIJING 000575 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SU AF CH SUBJECT: March 5 MFA Press Briefing: Sudan, Afghanistan, Tibet ¶1. Key points at the March 5 MFA press briefing: -- China regrets the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir and wishes the relevant parties would consider the possible "repercussions" of their actions. -- China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, stands ready to "consult and communicate" with others on Sudan and will continue to play a "dual role." -- China maintains that "further efforts" are needed to move forward in Sudan and that attention should be focused on reducing "disturbing factors." Sudan -------------- ¶2. Repeating an official statement released today on the Internet, MFA spokesperson Qin Gang expressed China's regret at the regularly-scheduled March 5 MFA press briefing over the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, and expressed China's desire that the relevant parties "think again" and consider the possible "repercussions" of their actions. He added that it has always been the desire of the people of Darfur and Sudan, as well as the international community, to achieve "peace and stability" in the region, and that China, as a "responsible player" has "done a lot" to achieve that aim and is "committed" to this goal. ¶3. When pressed to explain what those repercussions might be, Qin Gang explained that "previous achievements" risked being "compromised" and that this alone was sufficient reason for China "to feel regret" about the ICC's decision. He maintained that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is ready to "consult and communicate" with relevant parties on the issue, and will continue to play a "dual role." China has always had "friendly relations" with Sudan, stressed Qin Gang, which is "good for the people of both countries." ¶4. China has approximately 315 peacekeepers in Sudan, Qin Gang noted. He emphasized that, through the joint efforts of members of the international community, "major progress" has been made, especially on the humanitarian front. "Further efforts" are needed, however, in order to move forward, and a "double track" approach has proven "helpful" for a peaceful resolution of the situation, he said. Qin added that the "disturbing factors" must now be reduced. Afghanistan -------------- ¶5. In answer to a question about China's contributions to multilateral efforts in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said that he had nothing further to add to his response given at the MFA press briefing on Tuesday, March 3. Tibet -------------- ¶6. Responding to a question about accusations made by Tibetan groups in India that China was prohibiting Tibetans from traveling to Nepal and India and that Nepal was also turning away Tibetans at its border, Qin Gang said that all countries have the right to "crackdown on illegal immigration." He maintained that Nepal has always considered Tibet as a part of China, and that China "appreciates" this. ¶7. When pressed whether Tibetans involved in the uprisings in March 2008 were being tortured, as Tibetan groups in India were claiming, Qin Gang said that Tibet and Tibetan areas in China were being administered "according to law." PICCUTA