FM: UN role in Iraq issue essential
( 2003-04-09 09:00 ) (1 )

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Tuesday reiterated the importance of the United Nations (UN) in bringing peace and stability in Iraq.

In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, Li said only the settlement of the Iraq issue within the UN framework and on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions would be conducive to long-term peace and stability in the region.

A news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Li as saying the Iraq War has brought serious problems and concrete action should be taken to ease the humanitarian situation in Iraq.

He said China is ready to provide further humanitarian assistance.

Ivanov replied by stressing the UN should play a leading role in the reconstruction in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Liu Mingzu, head of the Chinese delegation to the Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Santiago, said on Monday local time that the war in Iraq will not benefit any party and there will be no solution without the intervention of the UN.

A Xinhua report quoted Liu as stressing the role of the UN in post-war arrangements and reconstruction.

He also said countries should resolve their disputes through dialogue and co-operation rather than resorting to force or the threat of force.

Also Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made it clear that intervention by the UN Security Council in the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would be unhelpful.

"At the same time, we think none of the parties concerned should take moves that might complicate the situation," Liu told a regular press briefing.

The UN Security Council is supposed to meet today to discuss a presidential statement on the DPRK nuclear situation.

"China has always supported a peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue, especially dialogue between the United States and the DPRK," Liu said.

China has always been concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, especially the DPRK nuclear issue, he said.

"We are not in favour of any nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula," Liu said.

In an interview with AFP last Wednesday, Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Singh said India will continue to look upon China as one of the most important neighbours and an important friend of his country.

"We appreciate the Indian foreign minister's remarks on Sino-Indian relations," Liu said.