Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 04, 2003
Chinese FM Reiterates China's Stand on Iraq Issue
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Monday reiterated China's position for a political resolution of the Iraq issue within the framework of the United Nations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Monday reiterated China's position for a political resolution of the Iraq issue within the framework of the United Nations.
Tang, who was here for the United Nations Security Council meeting on Iraq on Wednesday, urged Iraq to comply with relevant resolutions of Security Council fully and in real earnest and rid itself of all weapons of mass destruction.
Tang noted that two months after the weapons inspections resumed in Iraq, the UN inspectors have cautioned against jumping to any conclusions and asked for more time to continue the inspection work.
He said the Chinese government respects this view of the UN weapons inspectors and is opposed to any rash conclusion before they come up with specific views on the issue.
He called for more proactive cooperation from the Iraqi side and expressed the hope that positive results would be achieved when the two chief UN inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei return to Iraq on Sunday.
"China has all along held the view that a peaceful settlement is preferred and that international community should make the utmost efforts even if there is only dim hope for a political solution," he said.
In an attempt to build the case for unleashing war against Iraq,the United States would send Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Security Council on Wednesday to present evidence of Iraq's alledged weapons of mass destruction.