DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DPRK LAUNCH

S E C R E T BEIJING 000856 NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/K AND ISN/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2034 TAGS: PREL UNSC PARM MNUC CH RU KNNP KN KS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DPRK LAUNCH REF: A. STATE 30123 ¶B. BEIJING 855 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). ¶1. (S) On March 31, visiting EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary John Norris delivered ref A points pressing China to support meaningful UN Security Council action in response to a DPRK rocket launch to MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Director General Zheng Zeguang (see ref B for full report of meeting on other issues). Zheng said that China continued to "work on" North Korea at this sensitive time in advance of a potential missile launch. He noted that neither the United States nor China wanted the Six-Party Talks to be "derailed." ¶2. (S) DAS Norris stressed the importance of working together in advance to prevent North Korea from engaging in provocative activities, such as launching a missile. He noted the need to be prepared to send the "strongest possible message" of disapproval via a new UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution should North Korea proceed with the missile launch. The five permanent members of the UNSC had an obligation to ensure that violations of the Security Council were properly addressed, and a new resolution would be the appropriate way to condemn a missile launch regardless of how it might be characterized by the North Koreans, he said. He noted that the United States was not proposing a new sanctions regime. DAS Norris agreed with Zheng on the importance of the Six-Party Talks but noted that the North Korean side was pulling back from the talks through their provocative actions. ¶3. (S) Zheng responded that the U.S. and Chinese PermReps had been in contact on this issue and that the United States was aware of China's position. He reiterated the need to avoid jeopardizing the Six-Party Talks and said that China continued to work on North Korea. However, given the North Korean national character, Pyongyang rarely listened to the opinions of other countries, he said. Noting that he was not under instruction to raise the issue, Zheng expressed concern at the buildup of tension around the Korean peninsula, as all sides "prepare for the worst" with a battleground mentality. He noted that the United States had sent ships armed with missiles, the Japanese had had discussions on intercepting the North Korean missile, and South Korea was likewise preparing in such a way that implied war was imminent. Such a buildup of tensions was not helpful, he said, though he noted that Defense Secretary Robert Gates had stated that the United States was not preparing to intercept the missile. ¶4. (S) DAS Norris responded that the tensions described by Zheng underscored the need to redouble efforts to push North Korea not to launch the missile. He noted again that the North Koreans were the party responsible for the situation. ¶5. (C) NOTE: PolOff subsequently confirmed that appropriate MFA officials handling North Korea-related affairs (who were not available to meet with senior-level Embassy officials March 31) had received the points delivered by DAS Norris. We have requested a response to our points from those MFA offices as well as the International Organizations Department, which is responsible for UNSC issues. ¶6. (U) DAS Norris has cleared this cable. PICCUTA