TANG JIAXUAN
March 7, 2003

Arguing that there is "no reason to shut the door to peace," China's minister for foreign affairs said that his nation was not in favor of a new resolution authorizing force in Iraq.

 

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MIN. TANG: (Through interpreter.) Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I'd like to congratulate Guinea on its assumption of the presidency of the council for this month. I'd also like to congratulate the foreign minister of Germany for his outstanding work during his presidency last month. I'd also like to thank Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei for their briefings and for the tremendous efforts they have made to fulfill the mandate given by the Security Council. Mr. President, four months ago in this chamber, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 1441 in the spirit of unity and cooperation. The adoption of that resolution fully manifested the determination of the council to destroy the WMD possessed by Iraq, and truly reflected the desire of the international community for a political settlement of the Iraqi issue. It is precisely for this reason that the resolution has been widely welcomed and supported by all countries the world over. Undoubtedly, it is an arduous task for us to ensure the implementation of the relevant council resolutions and the full and comprehensive destruction of Iraq's WMD. However, it is gratifying to note that much progress has been made in the weapons inspections thanks to the unremitting efforts of UNMOVIC and IAEA. Judging from the reports of the two inspection bodies today, Resolution 1441 has been implemented smoothly on the whole, with progress made and results achieved. It is true that there also exist problems and difficulties in the inspection process. This is exactly why it is highly necessary to continue the inspections. We believe that as long as we stick to the road of political settlement, the goal of destroying Iraq's WMD could still be achieved. Resolution 1441 was a hard-won result. Given the current situation, we need resolve and determination and, more importantly, patience and wisdom. For that purpose, the council needs to maintain its unity and cooperation more than ever, so as to preserve its authority. We believe that the council should provide strong support and guidance to the two inspection bodies in their work. Let them continue inspections and find out the truth until they complete the mandate of Resolution 1441. At the same time, we also urge the Iraqi government to take further effective measures to strengthen its cooperation on substance with inspectors, in earnest, and to create conditions necessary for a political settlement. Under the current circumstances, there is no reason to shut the door to peace. Therefore, we are not in favor of a new resolution, particularly one authorizing the use of force. Mr. President, the Iraqi issue bears on peace and development in the Gulf region and the world at large. With a view to finding a solution to that issue, we must take into full account the shared interests of all nations and the long-term interests of human development. After entering the 21st century, peace and development still remain the major themes of our times. All countries in the world, faced with the common task of maintaining peace and achieving development and prosperity, desperately need a stable and peaceful international environment. Among all things in the universe, human beings are of paramount importance, and peace is the most precious. Over the past months, right here in this hall, we have heard many times from many U.N. member states their strong appeals for resolving the Iraqi issue politically. Outside this hall we have also heard justified cries of "peace, not war" from peoples of many countries. The power of the Security Council derives from all the U.N. member states and from people of all nations. We have no reason to remain indifferent to those strong demands and outcries. In order to be responsible for history, and to safeguard the common interests of all peoples in the world, the Chinese government strongly appeals to the Security Council to take up its responsibility and to do all it can to avoid war and to maintain its efforts for a political settlement. I thank you, Mr. President.

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