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DATE=2/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226855
TITLE=CHINA / U-N / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO:  A CHINESE SPOKESMAN HAS REJECTED AS UNTRUE, REPORTS THAT 
CHINA HAS  AGREED WITH THE UNITED STATES TO  ABSTAIN IF THE 
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL VOTES ON WHETHER TO  USE FORCE 
AGAINST IRAQ.  AS WE HEAR FROM VOA'S STEPHANIE HO, THE CHINESE 
SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS CAME TODAY/TUESDAY, TWO DAYS AFTER THE 
UNITED STATES SENT A SPECIAL ENVOY TO BEIJING.
TEXT:  CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO -- SPEAKING
THROUGH A TRANSLATOR -- SAID CHINA AGREES WITH THE UNITED STATES 
ON  ONLY THE FOLLOWING THREE POINTS.
          // ZHU TRANSLATOR ACT // 
 THE FIRST, THE CURRENT SITUATION IN IRAQ IS VERY SERIOUS. AND 
SECOND, THE RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD 
BE IMPLEMENTED.  AND THIRD, CHINA AND THE U-S AGREE TO SUPPORT 
ALL DIPLOMATIC ENDEAVORS, INCLUDING THE MEDIATING EFFORTS BY U-N 
SECRETARY GENERAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS OF THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL.  OTHER THAN THIS, THE TWO SIDES HAVE NOT 
REACHED ANY OTHER AGREEMENT. 
            // END ACT //
MR. ZHU WAS RESPONDING TO A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER CHINA WOULD 
ABSTAIN FROM CASTING A NEGATIVE BALLOT IN ANY POSSIBLE U-N VOTE 
TO USE FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.
THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN SAID CHINA HAS CONTINUOUSLY OPPOSED AN 
ATTACK ON IRAQ.  HE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON WHICH WAY CHINA WOULD 
DECIDE, SAYING THE VOTE WILL BE KNOWN WHEN IT IS CAST.
          // ZHU TRANSLATOR ACT //
  AS TO WHAT KIND OF VOTE CHINA WILL GIVE ON THE RELEVANT 
QUESTION, YOU WILL KNOW AT THE TIME THE VOTE IS HELD. 
           // END ACT //
U-S OFFICIALS ON SUNDAY HAD SAID THEY BELIEVED THAT DURING A 
VISIT TO CHINA LAST WEEK, U-S SPECIAL ENVOY BILL RICHARDSON MIGHT
HAVE PERSUADED CHINA TO ABSTAIN FROM CASTING A NEGATIVE VOTE.  AT
THE  TIME, U-S OFFICIALS HAD SAID MR. RICHARDSON GAVE CHINESE 
AUTHORITIES  INTELLIGENCE ON IRAQI WEAPONS FACILITIES THAT MIGHT 
HAVE SWAYED THEIR OPINION.
CHINA, HOWEVER, HAS ALIGNED ITSELF WITH FELLOW U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL PERMANENT MEMBERS RUSSIA AND FRANCE IN RESISTING THE U-S 
CALL FOR MILITARY ACTION, IF DIPLOMACY FAILS.  BRITAIN HAS SIDED 
WITH THE UNITED STATES IN CONTENDING THAT ANYTHING LESS THAN 
UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO WEAPONS SITES WOULD VIOLATE THE U-N 
MANDATE IN IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/FC
17-Feb-98 6:42 AM EST (1142 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.