YEMEN CONFERENCE: PRC SUPPORTS BROAD-BASED EFFORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000206 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP ANDREW MACDONALD AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2030 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID YM CH SUBJECT: YEMEN CONFERENCE: PRC SUPPORTS BROAD-BASED EFFORT TO ASSIST, WANTS IT "YEMENI-LED" REF: STATE 06940 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In response to reftel points explaining USG efforts in Yemen, goals for the January 27 London meeting, and future multilateral efforts, MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Attache Jiang Bo told PolOff January 26 that China appreciated the U.S. perspective on the issue and was pleased that the U.S. approach would take into account the importance of development assistance and other factors in improving Yemen's ability to fight terrorism. Jiang stressed that in his view the process had to remain "Yemeni-led" and the international community should show respect for the country's sovereignty. The UN, and the UNSC in particular, should be the focal point for action on Yemen, he added. Jiang said that the PRC had noted the Yemeni government's efforts to combat terrorism and agreed with the U.S. call to increase assistance to Yemen to strengthen its capacity to govern. ¶2. (C) Jiang reported that FM Yang Jiechi would be in London "on other business" during the January 27 conference on Yemen and would not likely attend, but a "high-level" official from the PRC embassy in London would represent China at the conference. HUNTSMAN