DATE= 10/31/97 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-222014 TITLE=U-S-CHINA-IRAN MISSILES (S ONLY) BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS OBTAINED CLEAR ASSURANCES ABOUT THE CUTOFF OF CHINESE NUCLEAR ASSISTANCE TO IRAN. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, NO SIMILAR ASSURANCES WERE GIVEN ABOUT CHINESE CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS SHIPMENTS TO IRAN. TEXT: A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ASSURANCES FROM CHINA BEFORE THE SUMMIT MEETING ABOUT CUTTING OFF THE CHINESE SUPPLY OF ANTI-SHIP CRUISE MISSILES TO IRAN. THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE SHORT-RANGE MISSILES THAT ARE STATIONED ON IRANIAN PATROL BOATS, SHORE BATTERIES AND ON AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF THE THREAT THEY POSE TO AMERICAN SHIPS IN THE GULF. THE SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS CHINA HAS TAKEN THE AMERICAN CONCERNS SERIOUSLY BUT THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO PURSUE THE ISSUE FURTHER WITH CHINA IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PRESENTING THE U-S CONGRESS WITH ASSURANCES ABOUT CHINA STOPPING NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH IRAN. ONE EXISTING PROJECT WILL BE CUT OFF IN MONTHS WHILE ANOTHER WILL BE COMPLETED IN TWO OR THREE YEARS. THIS CLEARS THE WAY FOR AMERICAN NUCLEAR SALES TO CHINA. A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS CHINA'S CONTINUED SALE OF CRUISE MISSILES TO IRAN IS NOT RELATED TO ITS PLEDGE TO STOP NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH IRAN. (SIGNED) NEB/RP/EH 31-Oct-97 4:25 PM EST (2125 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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