PRC/AFRICA: PRC NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SUDAN/AFRICA OUTLINES ROLE, PREVIEWS UPCOMING TRIP TO SUDAN

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003260 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SE ANDREW STEINFELD DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR EAP, AF AND EAP/CM USUN FOR PHEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2027 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, CH, SU, UN SUBJECT: PRC/AFRICA: PRC NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SUDAN/AFRICA OUTLINES ROLE, PREVIEWS UPCOMING TRIP TO SUDAN REF: BEIJING 3234 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Dan Shields. Reasons: 1.4 (b/d) Summary ------- 1. (C) Newly appointed PRC Special Representative for Sudan/Africa Liu Guijin will travel to Sudan from May 18-24 to meet with Sudan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and other senior leaders, Liu told Polmincouns. A stop in Darfur is not currently scheduled. Liu looks forward to working with Special Envoy Natsios and to briefing Special Envoy Natsios, in Beijing or Washington, after the Sudan trip. Liu's objectives for the trip are to convince the Sudanese Government to adopt a more flexible attitude on the Darfur issue and to convey to the Sudanese a sense of mounting international pressure over Darfur. Polmincouns stressed that we need to see positive action now by Khartoum. Liu said the United States and China should work together to convince Sudan that a hybrid United Nations-African Union force is in Sudan's best interests. Liu insisted that China strictly adheres to international rules in its "limited sales of conventional arms" to Sudan. End Summary. Sudan Trip May 18-24 -------------------- 2. (C) Newly appointed PRC Special Representative for African Affairs Liu Guijin told Polmincouns he will travel to Sudan from May 18-24 to meet with Sudan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and other senior leaders. On May 15 Liu outlined to Polmincouns his views of his new role and upcoming travel plans. Liu said he looks forward to working with Special Envoy Natsios and to briefing Special Envoy Natsios, in Beijing or Washington, after the Sudan trip. Liu's objectives for the trip are to convince the Sudanese Government to adopt a more flexible attitude toward the Darfur issue and to describe to the Sudanese the mounting international pressure over the issue. China wants the Darfur situation to return to the "right track" as soon as possible. A stop in Darfur is not currently scheduled during the trip. Liu had hoped to visit Darfur to present humanitarian assistance materials, but the material will not be ready in time for the trip due to logistics constraints. Liu does not plan to visit any countries other than Sudan on this trip. Liu said that if Special Envoy Natsios wishes to convey any messages to him prior to his departure for Sudan, the best channel would be through the PRC Embassy in Washington. Focus On Darfur --------------- 3. (C) Polmincouns noted that press reports have referred to Liu using various titles. Liu said he is Special Representative for African Affairs and Special Representative for Darfur. Liu will at first focus exclusively on Darfur because it is the most important issue. The PRC Government has empowered Liu to communicate with the major players on Darfur in order to "reduce the temperature" on the issue through dialogue, information exchange and closer coordination of joint initiatives. China wants to demonstrate that as a responsible member of the Security Council China is willing to work together with other Council members to resolve the Darfur issue. In the future, Liu may handle other "specific tasks" related to Africa, particularly with regard to areas of conflict, but Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun retains the full Africa portfolio, Liu said. Liu New To Darfur Issue ----------------------- 4. (C) Over the next month or two, Liu intends to reach out to the African Union and United Nations envoys working on Darfur and visit to other significant countries and international organizations involved in the issue, including the Arab League. Liu has no current plans to visit Chad or Central African Republic. Liu said that he has no special pre-existing links with Sudan and will use his initial trip to get a handle on the issues and to establish working relationships with key Sudanese interlocutors. BEIJING 00003260 002 OF 002 Liu: United States, China Share Goals ------------------------------------- 5. (C) Liu said the United States and China share goals for Sudan/Darfur and should work together to show that a hybrid United Nations-African Union force is in Sudan's best interests and will promote peace, stability and development. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun believes that the Sudanese Government is willing to demonstrate flexibility on Darfur but has concerns about international intentions, Liu added. Patience, wisdom and imagination are required. Polmincouns stressed that we need to see positive action now by Khartoum. Liu said China understands well that many in the international community are losing patience and want to see progress. China plays a constructive diplomatic role on Darfur, Liu noted, citing China's pledge to deploy a team of 275 engineers in support of the United Nations/African Union Heavy Support Package. The PRC Ambassador in Khartoum has already briefed the Sudanese Government on the engineers. The Sudanese welcomed the assistance and pledged to ensure the team's smooth deployment, Liu said, although he could not specify when deployment will take place. Liu: PRC Arms Sales Adhere to Rules ----------------------------------- 6. (C) When Polmincouns asked about PRC arms sales to Sudan, Liu responded that China is aware of international concerns and strictly follows international rules and requires end-user certificates. China meticulously "measures" its "limited sales of conventional arms" to Sudan, Liu said. Liu acknowledged the possibility that some Chinese-supplied arms could potentially be misused, but argued that no country in "our complicated world" can guaranty "one hundred percent" that arms it supplies to another country will never fall into the wrong hands. However, Liu insisted Chinese policy and practice is designed to guard against such potentialities. China's arms sales to Sudan, Liu said, help implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by providing legitimate defense capabilities to the unity government and are not intended to "create more trouble." Polmincouns urged China to make sure that Chinese arms do not end up being used in Darfur. Biographical Note ----------------- 7. (C) Liu speaks fluent English. Official PRC media sources describe Liu as a 61-year-old veteran diplomat who has been involved with African affairs for more than twenty-five years. Liu told us he spent his entire career in the African Affairs Department, where he just concluded a six-year assignment as Ambassador to South Africa. He said he is just getting acquainted with his colleagues in the MFA's West Asian and North African Department, which handles Sudan. RANDT