China calls for dialogue in Iraq weapons inspection row

Text of report by the Chinese news agency Zhongguo Xinwen She

Beijing, 15th January: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang told reporters today that China pays close attention to the differences on weapon inspections in Iraq, and appeals to all relevant parties to settle the differences through dialogue so as to prevent the problem from intensifying.

Shen Guofang said: The UN Security Council's resolutions should be comprehensively and earnestly carried out; and Iraq should fully cooperate with the UN Special Commission [UNSCOM] and fully carried out its relevant obligations so that UNSCOM can accomplish the Security Council's mandate at an early date.

The spokesman also pointed out: The legitimate concerns of Iraq, a sovereign state, should also be respected.

It is also essential for the UNSCOM to improve its operations, including the composition of the inspection team, which should as much as possible reflect the diversity of the United Nations, and should be composed of personnel from more countries.

China hopes UNSCOM Chairman Butler's forthcoming visit to Iraq will achieve positive results on settling the inspection issue.

Source: Zhongguo Xinwen She news agency, Beijing, in Chinese 1034 gmt 15 Jan 98

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