Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/10/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-302022

TITLE=CHINA / IRAQ REACT (L-O)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT=

INTRO: China says the United Nations must play a leading role in rebuilding post-war Iraq. The comments were made as the United States plans for an interim government in the country. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Beijing.

TEXT: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao urges the United Nations Security Council to quickly take charge of rebuilding Iraq's physical and political landscape.

/// LIU ACT IN CHINESE, EST. AND FADE ///

Mr. Liu says the Security Council should draw up

detailed plans and make full preparations for post-war reconstruction.

He also said Thursday that post-war plans must respect the wishes of Iraq's people and the concerns of the country's neighbors. And he says any successful plan will protect Iraq's political independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

China also wants quick U-N action to prevent further suffering among the Iraqi people. Mr. Liu says China will continue to offer humanitarian aid to Iraq.

China is one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and has the power to veto actions by the council.

China spoke out against the U-S led war. It is still urging Washington and London to end military operations in Iraq immediately and sort out the dispute in the United Nations.

After three weeks of fighting, the U-S led coalition has a significant presence in Baghdad and other key Iraqi cities. The government of Saddam Hussein appears to have collapsed.

Although the United States and its chief coalition partner, Britain, say the United Nations will have a role in rebuilding Iraq, they have not specified what the role will be. The United States already has said it and its coalition partners will establish an interim government for Iraq, and work toward setting up a permanent, Iraqi-controlled administration. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/KPD/RH