ĦĦĦĦBEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Using force or threats of force is
unhelpful in solving the Iraq issue and will increase regional instability and
tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said here Tuesday while holding
talks with his Iraqi counterpart Naji Sabri Ahmed.
ĦĦĦĦAs a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China, along
with the international community, would play a positive role in easing the tense
situation and promoting an earlyresolution of problems, Tang said.
ĦĦĦĦTang said China had always been concerned by the Iraq issue andwas making
unremitting efforts to urge the international communityto lift sanctions against
Iraq at an early date in accordance withIraq's implementation of the relevant
resolutions of the UN Security Council.
ĦĦĦĦIraq should completely and effectively implement the Security Council
resolutions, cooperate with the UN and actively improve relations with its
neighbors, Tang said.
ĦĦĦĦThe sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraqshould also
be respected, the foreign minister added.
ĦĦĦĦAccording to Tang, the Iraq issue should be solved by politicaland
diplomatic means within the framework of the United Nations.
ĦĦĦĦSabri briefed Tang on the latest developments of the Iraq issueand the
stance adopted by the Iraqi government, as well as the dialogues between Iraq
and the UN.
ĦĦĦĦSabri said there had been some progress in the talks between Iraq and UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and the two sides had built initial trust.
ĦĦĦĦIraq was ready to cooperate with the UN for a complete solutionto the Iraq
issue, Sabri added.
ĦĦĦĦSabri expressed his appreciation of China's just stance on the issue,
hoping China would play a more important role in realizing an early solution.
ĦĦĦĦThe two foreign ministers also exchanged views on bilateral relations and
other issues of common concern.
ĦĦĦĦThe Iraqi foreign minister arrived in China Monday morning for a three-day
official visit at the invitation of Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan. Enditem
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