Chinese, Russian Leaders Exchange Views on Iraqi Crisis
December 17, 1998
The use of force by the US and Britain against Iraq may have a serious effect on the situation in the Gulf region and on international relations, President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing today.
China is deeply concerned about the possible consequences, Jiang said in talks with Russian President Boris Yeltsin by phone following the allied attack earlier today.
The Russian President called Jiang this afternoon and the two heads of states exchanged views on the current Iraqi crisis.
Yeltsin praised China's stand on this issue, saying Russia can never accept the military actions unilaterally taken by the United States and Britain without the authorization of the UN Security Council, especially at a time when it was holding discussions over weapons inspection in Iraq.
Today's action has grossly violated the U.N. Charter and international rules, he said.
Jiang outlined China's principled position on the crisis and emphasized that China insists on a peaceful solution to international disputes and opposes the use of force in world affairs.
The two leaders agreed that the UN Security Council should take up its responsibility for the world peace and security.
They also voiced support to the active role played by the UN Secretary General and the willingness to exert joint efforts with the rest of the world to call for an immediate cease of military actions, and to restore the political solution over the Iraqi weapons inspection issue.
Also today, U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a message to Jiang explaining the U.S. stance on its military action against Iraq.
Jiang urged the U.S. and Britain to cease military action so as to create conditions for the settlement of the issue through dialogues in his return message to Clinton.
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