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