Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/6/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=FRANCE / CHINA / IRAQ (L-O) (CQ)

NUMBER=2-300406

BYLINE=LISA BRYANT

DATELINE=PARIS

CONTENT=

/// FIXING NAME OF CHINESE PRES IN GRAF ONE OF TEXT ///

INTRO: China says it agrees with a recent French, Russian and German declaration opposing a U-N resolution paving the way for war against Iraq. Lisa Bryant reports from Paris, French President Jacques Chirac and Chinese leader Jiang Zemin spoke by telephone Thursday.

TEXT: A spokeswoman for the Elysee presidential palace in Paris confirmed that President Chirac and Mr. Jiang had discussed Iraq during a recent telephone conversation.

Asked by V-O-A if the conversation included Chinese endorsement of a joint declaration by German, French and Russian foreign ministers on Iraq, spokeswoman Catherine Colonna simply pointed to remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

During a Thursday press conference in Beijing, Mr. Tang said China opposed a new United Nations resolution authorizing military action against Baghdad. That position was adopted in a joint communique issued in Paris Wednesday, by the three European foreign ministers.

The common positions suggest that France, China and Russia -- all permanent members of the U-N security Council -- might veto such a new U-N resolution. But none of the three countries has formally declared it will do so. Germany, as a non-permanent Security Council member, has no such veto power.

Mr. Tang said there was no reason to consider a new U-N resolution against Iraq, so long as diplomacy appeared to be working. He said it was premature to consider whether a possible Chinese veto might undermine U-S-Chinese relations.

In France, the question of a veto has divided the political establishment. Leaders of Mr. Chirac's center-right Union for the Presidential Majority Party have urged against such a move, for fear of further eroding ties with Washington. But leftist politicians are urging Paris to veto a war resolution, if it is introduced at the United Nations. (Signed)

NEB/LB/KL/TW/KBK