PRC ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000189 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2035 TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO ECON EFIN EAID CH PK AF IN UK SUBJECT: PRC ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 6355 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The PRC and the U.S. share an interest in ensuring that the London Conference highlights the international community's firm support and long-term commitment to Afghanistan's stability and development, an MFA official told us January 22. While the PRC supports an Afghan-led process of political reintegration, it believes that international consensus is required for the establishment of a reintegration trust fund. The PRC views the United Nations Security Council as the only appropriate venue for deliberation on security transition guidelines, and it opposes the establishment of any new regional mechanisms for Afghanistan at the London Conference. END SUMMARY. Shared Goals -------------- ¶2. (C) The PRC and the U.S. shared the same fundamental goal of demonstrating long-term international support for efforts to advance stability and development in Afghanistan at the January 28 London Conference, MFA International Organizations Department UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun told PolOff January 22 in response to reftel points urging support for U.S. priorities at the conference. The PRC encouraged international efforts to strengthen Afghanistan's security capability and develop Afghanistan's economy, according to Yao. International Consensus Required for Reintegration Plan -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Yao stated that the PRC supported an Afghan-led process of political reintegration. At the same time, China had taken note of Russian and Indian concerns about the establishment of a reintegration trust fund and hoped that all countries would reach consensus in London on an acceptable arrangement for such a fund. When pressed, Yao reiterated that China would have to consider Russian, Indian and Pakistani views in making any determination on the reintegration trust fund. PRC Opposes Decision on ISAF Timelines, New Regional Org -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) On principle, according to Yao, the PRC opposed deliberation on ISAF timelines at the London Conference because security issues were under the purview of the United Nations Security Council. The PRC did not want to see the UNSC turn into a "rubber stamp" for decisions made at the London Conference on security transition guidelines. ¶5. (C) Yao underscored that the PRC opposed the establishment of new regional mechanisms for Afghanistan at the London Conference. The present situation dictated that existing mechanisms be strengthened, not diluted. If in the future new regional mechanisms were necessary, such mechanisms should take into account Afghanistan's viewpoint, as well as the inputs of Afghanistan's neighbors, according to Yao. Pakistan, for example, "strongly opposed" the UK's proposed new regional mechanism. Yao stated his understanding that the U.S. held a similar position and expressed hope that the PRC and the U.S. could work together to keep any announcement of new regional mechanisms out of the communique that would be issued at the conclusion of the London Conference. ¶6. (C) Yao indicated that the MFA had not finalized a decision on whether FM Yang would make any announcements at London, but suggested it was possible that FM Yang would take the opportunity of the conference to highlight PRC contributions to Afghanistan. HUNTSMAN