President Jiang Held Phone Talks with French President and British Prime MinisterChinese President Jiang Zemin held respective phone talks with French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair Tuesday night on the international situation following the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11.Talk with French President Jacques ChiracChirac said European countries have expressed support to the United States after the attacks. He said all efforts should be made to combat terrorism.The French president stressed that under current circumstances, it is necessary to restart the Middle East peace process as soon as possible and urge both Palestine and Israel to return to the negotiating table. Jiang expressed appreciation for Chirac's views and expounded the principled stance of the Chinese Government that it is always opposed to all kinds of terrorism. He stressed the necessity and urgency for international collaboration on the issue of combating terrorism. Jiang said that under current circumstances, keeping sober-minded is especially needed and prudence should be exercised in handling relevant issues. All action should be conducive to the long-term interests of world peace and development, he said. Jiang said that China will, as always, support the Middle East peace process, and hopes that all people in Middle East countries can live in peace. The two leaders agreed that both China and France will continue to maintain close consultations and cooperation on major issues concerning world peace and stability. Talk with British PMChinese President Jiang Zemin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair Tuesday exchanged views over the phone on the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.Blair said many British people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks and under the current circumstances, it is very necessary for leaders of Britain and China to have a direct exchange of views. He briefed Jiang on the views of the British side on the issue. Jiang said many British people were killed or injured in the terrorist attacks, while some Chinese citizens were also killed, injured or missing. They were all victims of the terrorists, he said. China strongly condemns this horrible act of terrorism, Jiang said. The Chinese people stand side by side with the American and British people as well as the international community on the issue of anti-terrorism. Terrorism has become a prominent threat to the world's peace and stability and a grave common scourge of the international community, Jiang said. The Chinese government is firmly opposed to any kind of international terrorism, he said, adding that global collaboration is very necessary and pressing in combating terrorism. Jiang stressed that any military action against terrorism should be taken with irrefutable evidence and should aim at clear targets so as to avoid casualties to innocent people. He also said any military action must comply with the objectives and principles of the UN. Charter as well as widely- recognized norms in international laws. It is necessary for the UN Security Council to play its due role, and all actions should help maintain the long-term interests of world peace and development, he said. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |