VZCZCXRO5800
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4301/01 1770929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260929Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9365
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0336
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0118
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0178
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6562
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0256
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1758
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004301
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EFIN UNSC KS KN JA IZ CI TU PK CH
SUBJECT: JUNE 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, A/S
HILL PROPOSALS, FM YANG TO DPRK, IRAQI PRESIDENT VISIT,
ZOELLICK TO WORLD BANK, PAKISTAN KIDNAPPINGS, LEBANON
BOMBING
1. Key points at the June 26 MFA Press Conference were:
-- The MFA thanked all parties for their efforts in solving
the BDA issue, but gave reporters no information on when the
Six-Party Talks would resume.
-- IAEA DDG Heinonen will brief Beijing on his trip to the
DPRK upon its completion and China holds an open attitude to
"relevant proposals" of peace mechanisms in Northeast Asia.
-- China condemns the attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
on June 24, offers its condolences and is ready to work with
the international community to realize peace and stability in
Lebanon.
-- China congratulates Robert Zoellick on his appointment as
World Bank president.
Six-Party Talks, IAEA, Long-Term Peace Mechanism
--------------------------------------------- ---
2. At the June 26 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang announced that the BDA issue has been resolved and
thanked all parties for their constructive efforts, but gave
reporters no information on when the Six-Party Talks would
resume. IAEA DDG Heinonen will brief Beijing on the IAEA
trip to the DPRK upon its completion, said the spokesman.
Asked for details of the denuclearization process in the
DPRK, Qin replied only that all sides would implement the
initial actions spelled out in the February 13 Joint
Document. The agenda and topics of FM Yang's upcoming trip
to the DPRK are still under discussion. The MFA has taken
note of reports on a North Korean woman forcibly taken to
Japan, said Qin in response to a reporter's question.
3. Asked for comment on A/S Hill's proposals of a peace
mechanism for the Korean Peninsula as well as a broader
security dialogue for Northeast Asia, Qin responded that
ideas for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and
long-term regional peace and stability were set in the 2005
Joint Statement and February 13 Joint Document to which all
parties have commitments. China holds an open attitude as
long as relevant proposals are conducive to the peace and
stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, Qin
stated.
Killings of UN Peacekeepers Condemned
-------------------------------------
4. China condemns the attacks on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
on June 24 and offers its condolences, the spokesman
announced at the beginning of the press briefing. China
hopes local authorities bring those responsible to justice
and is ready to work with the international community to
realize peace and stability in Lebanon at an early date.
Calls for Peace on Turkey-Iraq Border
-------------------------------------
5. As a UNSC Permanent Member, China hopes that all countries
respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity and
resolve differences through peaceful means, said Qin
responding to calls by Turkish media for China's position if
military operations were carried out against the Kurdistan
Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. Asked if China
recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization and if
discussions with Iraqi President Talabani included the
potential operation, Qin said he did not know of the group
and provided no details on the meetings. China hopes
factionalism and religious strife in Iraq can be overcome to
allow for economic development and stability.
Zoellick to Lead World Bank, Improve Cooperation
--------------------------------------------- ---
6. China congratulates Robert Zoellick on his appointment as
World Bank president, believes cooperation will move forward
under his leadership and hopes the organization will abide by
its institutional role and positively contribute to world
development and poverty relief, Qin said when asked about the
news.
BEIJING 00004301 002 OF 002
9th East China Sea Consultations Ongoing
----------------------------------------
7. MFA DG for Asian Affairs Hu Zhengyue and Japan MFA DG for
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Kenichiro Sasae are holding the
9th China-Japan Consultations on the East China Sea in Tokyo
today to exchange ideas on join development plans, Qin said
when asked to comment by the Japanese press. China hopes
joint efforts can be made to demonstrate the important
consensus reached by both sides in the consultation and
realize a sea of friendship, cooperation and peace.
Strengthen EU Cooperation
-------------------------
8. China's position on the EU arms embargo has not changed,
Qin said when asked if it would be discussed at the upcoming
EU-China Summit in November. China hopes as Portugal ascends
to the EU presidency, the new leadership can make a positive
contribution to EU-China relations and further strengthen
cooperation based on a cooperative strategic partnership in
various fields.
Kidnappings in Pakistan, Copper Strike in Chile
--------------------------------------------- --
9. Chinese hostages taken in Pakistan all had legal business
licenses and China always advises its citizens to abide by
local laws when abroad, said Qin when asked if the seven
Chinese massage parlor workers kidnapped were engaged in
illegal sexual activity. Asked if Chinese companies would
negotiate with striking copper miners in Chile, Qin replied
that he was not aware of the situation.
RANDT