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