Beijing, Apr 13: China has demanded the US take "effective" steps to protect the Chinese embassy in Iraq and help recover the items looted in the aftermath of the fall of the Saddam Hussein-led government. Strongly condemning the robbery at the Chinese embassy, foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the US had the obligation to secure the properties of foreign missions. "China deeply regrets the anarchy caused by the war in Iraq, and strongly condemns the robbery," Liu said in a statement.
"According to the international law, parties engaged in war have the obligation to secure people and property of foreign embassies and consulates," he said. The Chinese side has proposed an "emergent negotiation" with the US, asking the latter to take effective measures to prevent any further impingement upon the Chinese embassy in Iraq and recover the robbed possessions, Liu was quoted as saying by China's official news agency.
Like other countries, China had evacuated its embassy staff in Baghdad prior to the commencement of the US-led military attack on Iraq on March 20. Bureau Report