Beijing: Concerned over Iraq situation, China on March 18 called on UN Security
Council members to work together to avoid a war as long as there is a "glimpse of
hope".
"China is concerned and worried about the current Iraqi situation," Chinese Foreign
Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said commenting on US President George W Bush's
ultimatum to the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to quit the country within 48 hours or
face war.
He said, "War seems to be imminent and all members of the Security Council should
work together to avoid it.
"China's principled position on the Iraqi issue remains unchanged and China is ready
to work with the international community to avoid war," Kong said.
"As long as there is a glimpse of hope, we will not give up our efforts for a
political and peaceful solution," he said.
Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, reacting to the statement of Bush, restated
China's stand that the Iraqi issue should be resolved politically under the
framework of the United Nations.
"China stands for a peaceful solution of the Iraq issue within the framework of the
United Nations through political means. Every effort should be made to avoid war,"
Wen said.
Wen's comment was the first official comment from China, a veto-wielding member of
the UN Security Council, on Bush's ultimatum.
At the same time, Wen also urged Iraq to fully comply with the UN resolutions and
not to possess any weapons of mass destruction.
PTI
