VZCZCXRO4923
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHDS #0174 0340812
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030812Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7575
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0544

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