DATE=2/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226636
TITLE=CHINA/IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: CHINA SAYS IT WILL TELL A U-S PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY SEEKING
TO EXPLAIN WASHINGTON'S POSITION ON THE IRAQI ARMS INSPECTION
CRISIS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE.
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS BEIJING HAS AGAIN
SAID IT WILL URGE WASHINGTON TO USE SELF-RESTRAINT AND STRIVE
FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE CRISIS.
TEXT: U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON IS
DUE TO ARRIVE IN BEIJING ON SATURDAY FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON
THE IRAQI CRISIS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. CHINA HAS REPEATEDLY
OPPOSED THE USE OF FORCE TO SETTLE THE STANDOFF OVER IRAQ'S
REFUSAL TO ALLOW U-N ARMS INSPECTORS ACCESS TO SITES BELIEVED TO
CONCEAL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
ON THURSDAY, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO--
SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER-- INDICATED CHINA WILL LISTEN TO
THE U-S ENVOY BUT WILL HOLD OUT FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE
DISPUTE.
/////ZHU BANGZAO--INTERPRETER ACT/////
SINCE THE ERUPTION OF THIS ARMS INSPECTION CRISIS, AS A
PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, CHINA HAS ALWAYS
CALLED ON VARIOUS SIDES TO KEEP RESTRAINT AND EXERCISE
COOL-MINDEDNESS. AND WE HAVE ALWAYS STOOD FOR SOLUTIONS TO
CRISES THROUGH DIALOGUE. EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO AVOID AN
ESCALATION OF THE CRISIS. IN PARTICULAR, EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE
TO AVOID A MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
/////END ACT/////
MR. ZHU'S WORDS CAME AS IRAQ OFFERED TO OPEN EIGHT DISPUTED SITES
FOR INSPECTION PROVIDED U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AND THE
SECURITY COUNCIL TAKE DIRECT CONTROL OF THE SEARCH FOR FORBIDDEN
ARMS. THE UNITED STATES HAS DISMISSED THE PROPOSAL AS A
GIMMICK.
CHINA HAS NOT HESITATED TO INSIST THAT IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH THE
U-N RESOLUTIONS MANDATING INSPECTION OF ITS SUSPECTED WEAPONS
SITES. MR. ZHU DID SO AGAIN ON THURSDAY.
/////INTERPRETER ACT/////
WE URGE IRAQ TO FULLY IMPLEMENT RELEVANT U-N RESOLUTIONS AND
EARNESTLY COOPERATE WITH UNSCOM. AT THE SAME TIME, WE CALL ON
UNSCOM TO ADOPT A REALISTIC ATTITUDE AND ACCELERATE THE PACE OF
THEIR WORK SO AS TO AVOID LEAVING THIS QUESTION OF ARMS
INSPECTION UNRESOLVED INDEFINITELY, WHICH WILL AGGRAVATE THE
SUFFERINGS OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND AFFECT REGIONAL STABILITY.
/////END ACT/////
MR. ZHU SAID PREMIER LI PENG, WHO LEFT THURSDAY FOR A VISIT TO
WESTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA, WILL DISCUSS THE CRISIS WITH RUSSIAN
LEADERS WHEN HE ARRIVES IN MOSCOW NEXT WEEK. CHINA AND RUSSIA
HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS TO ENSURE A
DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RW/FC/WFR
12-Feb-98 5:11 AM EST (1011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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