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DATE=7/31/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236326
TITLE=CHINA / U-N / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO:  THE CHIEF UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTOR HAS WRAPPED UP
TWO DAYS OF MEETINGS WITH CHINESE LEADERS IN BEIJING -- JUST A 
FEW DAYS BEFORE HE IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO IRAQ FOR A REVIEW OF THE
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION PROGRAM THERE.  AS VOA'S STEPHANIE HO 
REPORTS, CHINA HAS CALLED FOR A SPEEDY END TO SANCTIONS IMPOSED 
ON IRAQ.
TEXT:  IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE UNITED NATIONS IS 
CONSULTING CHINA, ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL.
NEWS REPORTS SAY U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER IS SEEKING 
CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR CONTINUING SANCTIONS ON IRAQ UNTIL HIS TEAM 
CAN ANSWER REMAINING QUESTIONS ABOUT BAGHDAD'S NUCLEAR AND 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM.
BEIJING HAS URGED IRAQ TO COOPERATE WITH THE U-N INSPECTION TEAM.
BUT CHINA HAS JOINED RUSSIA AND FRANCE IN CALLING FOR A SPEEDY 
CONCLUSION OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS AND AN END TO SANCTIONS 
IMPOSED ON IRAQ AFTER THE 1990 GULF WAR.
IN THE PAST, CHINA HAS DEFENDED IRAQ'S RIGHT TO LIMIT U-N ACCESS 
TO  SOME SITES AND HAS OPPOSED THE USE OF FORCE TO COMPEL BAGHDAD
TO AGREE TO REQUESTS BY MR. BUTLER'S INSPECTION TEAM.
THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CONFIRMED THAT THE U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTOR MET WITH VICE-PREMIER QIAN QICHEN IN BEIJING FRIDAY.
   // SPOKESMAN CHINESE ACT -- IN FULL, FADE OUT //
A CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL READ A PREPARED STATEMENT 
SAYING VICE-FOREIGN MINISTER WANG GUANGYA EXPRESSED CHINA'S 
POSITION ON THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION PROGRAM IN IRAQ, IN A 
MEETING WITH MR. BUTLER THURSDAY.
THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN DID NOT ELABORATE.
MR. BUTLER ARRIVED IN BEIJING LATE WEDNESDAY, AND IS DUE TO LEAVE
SATURDAY FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.  HE IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT IRAQ ON 
SUNDAY.
AN IRAQI NEWSPAPER ON THURSDAY QUOTED IRAQI VICE-PRESIDENT, TAHA 
YASSIN RAMADAN, AS THREATENING UNSPECIFIED ACTION IF THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL DOES NOT ACT QUICKLY TO REMOVE THE SANCTIONS. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/HO/FC
31-Jul-98 7:15 AM EDT (1115 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.