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China calls for prompt return of UN inspectors to Iraq
Beijing, Oct 29: China believes that the U.N. Security Council should decide how to handle Iraq only after inspectors have visited to search for weapons of mass destruction, the foreign ministry said today.
Beijing, Oct 29: China believes that the U.N. Security Council should decide how to handle Iraq only after inspectors have visited to search for weapons of mass destruction, the foreign ministry said today.
Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao, speaking at a news
conference, didn't respond directly when asked whether China
supported France's proposal for a Council meeting to settle
differences on how to disarm Iraq. But he repeated China's
insistence on having inspectors visit before deciding what to
do.
The United States is pressing for a resolution that some
Council members believe would authorise military force if
Saddam Hussein fails to comply with inspectors.
“Our position on this has always been clear,” Liu said.
“In our view, the most important thing to solve the Iraqi issue is to allow as quickly as possible the return of the U.N. inspectors to Iraq.” “This is an indispensable step,” he said, “and according to the results of the inspections, it's up to the U.N. Security Council to look at the next step to be taken.”
All 15 members of the Council say they want inspectors back in Iraq quickly, now that Baghdad has agreed to their return after nearly four years. But fundamental differences remain over how tough a new inspections regime should be. China, France and Russia- all permanent Council members with Veto power - oppose approving military action before Iraq's willingness to cooperate with inspectors can be tested.
Bureau Report
“Our position on this has always been clear,” Liu said.
“In our view, the most important thing to solve the Iraqi issue is to allow as quickly as possible the return of the U.N. inspectors to Iraq.” “This is an indispensable step,” he said, “and according to the results of the inspections, it's up to the U.N. Security Council to look at the next step to be taken.”
All 15 members of the Council say they want inspectors back in Iraq quickly, now that Baghdad has agreed to their return after nearly four years. But fundamental differences remain over how tough a new inspections regime should be. China, France and Russia- all permanent Council members with Veto power - oppose approving military action before Iraq's willingness to cooperate with inspectors can be tested.
Bureau Report