China's FM Clarifies Stance on Iraq, Mideast, Afghanistan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 10, 2002

China's FM Clarifies Stance on Iraq, Mideast, Afghanistan

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China has always held that regional conflicts should be resolved in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and force should not be used or used as a threat in disputes between nations,China's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in Monday's issue of the People's Daily.

In an exclusive interview with our newspaper (See the Chinese Text here, Tang,who will attend this week's 57th UN General Assembly in New York, said the Iraq issue should be properly settled through political and diplomatic means based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Iraq should fully comply with the relevant resolutions and resume cooperation with the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and reasonable security should be respected, and humanitarian conditions improved, Tang said.

On the Middle East issue, while opposing violence against innocent civilians, Tang said China maintains that the Middle Eastproblem should have a comprehensive, fair and permanent solution based on the relevant UN resolutions and the "land-for-peace" principle.

Tang called on the international community to mediate more actively in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and for both sides to keep calm, exercise restraint, reestablish mutual trust and resume peace talks as soon as possible.

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Afghanistan's neighbor, has consistently worked for Afghan peace and development and provided considerable aid. Afghanistan now is at a crucial time, Tang said, and the international community should continue to give their concern and help, honor their aid commitments, and speed up the process of Afghan reconstruction. China supports the United Nations continuing to play an important role in Afghanistan, Tang added.

Tang pointed out that the causes of regional conflicts are quite complex. There are both internal and external factors. Some conflicts are caused by political, ethnic or religious factors, and some by underdevelopment and poverty. Therefore, the removal of the conflicts' origin should be attended to, Tang said.

The Chinese delegation led by Tang Jiaxuan left Beijing on Monday for the Assembly. Tang will deliver a speech in the general debate of the assembly and attend UN meetings on African development, Afghanistan and anti-terrorism.

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