China backs reinforcement of UN inspections in Iraq
( 2003-02-12 00:50 ) (1 )

China Tuesday welcomed a joint appeal by France, Germany and Russia for greater efforts to strengthen United Nation's (UN) weapons inspection in Iraq.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told Tuesday's regular news conference: "We support any effort that is beneficial to settling the Iraq issue politically.''

On Monday evening, France, Russia and Germany adopted a "common declaration,'' calling for pursuit and "substantial reinforcement'' of the UN weapons inspections in Iraq.

The joint appeal, issued in Paris, was in apparent response to a US-led military build-up in the Gulf.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has consistently urged a political settlement of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework.

Zhang also called for weapons inspectors be given more time to carry out their work.

China held that Iraq should co-operate with the UN actively and further explain and clarify the relevant problems, Zhang said.

JIANG EMPHASIZE UN ROLE

China maintains that support should be given to the two United Nations (UN) organizations to strengthen weapons inspections in Iraq, President Jiang Zemin said in a telephone conversation with French President Jacques Chirac.

UN Resolution 1441 should be adhered to and weapons inspections strengthened, Jiang said, noting that war will not benefit any side.

"We should try all means to avoid war,'' Jiang was quoted as saying by Chinese Foreign Ministry source.

Jiang also expressed China's support for the joint declaration by France, Germany and Russia for greater efforts to reinforce UN weapons inspections in Iraq.