SE GRATION MEETING WITH CHINESE VFM ZHAI

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000174 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SE GRATION, S/USSES, AF A/S CARSON, AF/E DEPT FOR AF/PDPA, IIP/G/AF, RRU-AF DEPT FOR DRL/RSPRING DEPT FOR USAID APR/SUDAN NSC FOR MGAVIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PTER ET SUBJECT: SE GRATION MEETING WITH CHINESE VFM ZHAI ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a January 29 meeting between Special Envoy Gration and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Zhai, Zhai stated China's interest in coordinating with the United States to ensure stability and peace in Sudan. He said he believed the peace that has held since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is at risk, largely because of weak governance and disunity in the South and mistrust between the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). The VFM said that China has improved its relationship with the South and would support the outcome of the referendum, but that the international community should not assume the outcome will be independence. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai agreed with the Special Envoy that China and the United States have similar objectives of stability and peace in Sudan. He said that China is not only concerned with their oil investments in Sudan, but also with the destabilizing effects on all of Africa if the continent's largest country returns to conflict. ¶3. (SBU) Speaking on the current political situation between the North and South, the Vice Foreign Minister said that while there have been frustrations in implementation of the CPA, the Sudanese have kept peace and stability in the region, which should be recognized as an achievement. However, the most critical moments in the CPA, he believed, are the upcoming elections and referendum. The VFM saw two obstacles to CPA implementation: the weak governing capacity and disunity within the South and the lack of trust between the NCP and SPLM. Sensitive issues between North and South, including the census, oil-sharing, and border demarcation, all boil down to mistrust between the parties. He believed the international community should work with both the North and the South to build trust and reach agreements that will uphold the greater interest of peace, regardless of the outcomes of the elections and referendum. He noted, however, that the international community should not prejudge the outcome of referendum and assume a vote for independence. ¶4. (SBU) On the relationship between China and Southern Sudan, the VFM said that while China has long had good relations with the North, the country has more recently developed good relations with the South. They have contributed to humanitarian assistance "within their abilities," encouraged companies to build and invest in the South, and set up a consulate in Juba. He stated that "China respects the will of the people, no matter the result of the referendum," and that China is "ready to develop friendly relations with one or two Sudans." ¶5. (SBU) The VFM said he believed the United States and China should enhance coordination and cooperation on issues related to Sudan, and welcomed the Special Envoy to come to Beijing for the next US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue to continue discussions with the VFM and with China's Special Envoy to Sudan, Liu Guijing. The VFM said development was critical to maintaining peace in Sudan, and that the United States and China could do more to ensure that young people in Sudan have jobs, not guns. ¶6. (U) SE Gration cleared this message. YATES