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| TANG JIAXUAN | |
 February 14, 2003  | |
| Chinese
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan tells the Security Council the U.N. "inspections
process is working," adding that inspectors need more time to complete their
mission in Iraq. |
| MIN. TANG JIAXUAN: (Through
interpreter) Mr. President, let me begin by thanking Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei
for reporting to the Security Council their inspection work in Iraq. Last November, this council adopted Resolution 1441 by consensus, reiterating the firm determination of the international community to verify and destroy weapons of mass destruction in Iraq's possession. Now, the Iraqi issue is at the most critical moment. It is the universal hope of the international community to see a political resolution of this issue within the U.N. framework, and tremendous expectations are placed on the inspection work of UNMOVIC and the IAEA. Here, I wish to share with you some of my views. First, Iraq must implement the relevant Security Council resolutions strictly, comprehensively and earnestly. We urge the Iraqi side to recognize fully the importance and urgency of the inspections and provide more cooperation in a more proactive way. The latest visit to Baghdad by the two chief U.N. inspectors has achieved some positive results. The Iraqi side has made some commitments. We request Iraq to make good on those promises as soon as possible. And Iraq must provide clarifications and explanations as soon as possible regarding the questions raised by the two chief inspectors in their reports just now. Second, it is necessary for the inspection work in Iraq to continue. Resolution 1441 of the Security Council provides explicit authorization and specific requirements for the inspections. It remains our important task to continue with the implementation of this resolution. In this respect, a great deal of work still needs to be done by the Security Council and the two inspection bodies. Judging from what has been done in the recent past, the inspection work has made progress and clarified quite a number of issues. However, new elements have also been discovered in that process. The two bodies are duty-bound and justified to further the inspections with the aim of finding out the truth and fulfilling the mission conferred on them by the Security Council. Therefore, in agreement with the majority opinion among the council members, China believes that the inspection process is working and that inspectors should continue to be given the time they need so as to carry out Resolution 1441. Third, the Security Council has to step up its effort
for the inspections. The Iraqi issue bears on the peace and stability in the
Gulf region and bears on the credibility and authority of the Security Council.
The council should deal with this complex situation appropriately and in a responsible
fashion in accordance with the purposes and principles of the U.N. charter so as
to fulfill its important task of maintaining international peace and security. China stands ready to continue to provide the two bodies with personnel and necessary technical assistance, thereby continuing our efforts towards the political settlement of the Iraqi issue. Mr. President, China is an ancient civilization. Our ancestors proposed long ago the idea of peace being the best option. At present, peace and stability and development represent the common aspiration of all peoples around the world. Sitting on the
Security Council, we simply have no reason not to make our utmost efforts towards
that goal, and we are obliged to try our best and use all possible means to avert
war. Only when we go along the line of political settlement can we truly live
up to the trust and hope the international community places in the Security Council. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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