DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227159
TITLE=CHINA/IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  CHINA HAS WELCOMED A DEAL BROKERED BY U-N 
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WITH IRAQ, SAYING IT HOPES THE 
AGREEMENT WILL DISPERSE THE WAR CLOUDS GATHERING OVER THE PERSIAN
GULF.  V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM BEIJING. 

TEXT:  CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO MONDAY 
EXPRESSED RELIEF OVER ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN AGREEMENT, AND 
APPRECIATION TO THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HIS MEDIATION.

MR. ZHU SAID CHINA HOPES THE AGREEMENT WILL DISPEL THE WAR CLOUDS
OVER THE GULF.  HE ADDED CHINA ALSO HOPES IT WILL PROVIDE THE 
FOUNDATION FOR A FAIR AND REASONABLE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISSUE OF 
IRAQI WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

CHINA IS ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL -- ALONG WITH THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN AND 
FRANCE.

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OPPOSED THE POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE 
ADVOCATED BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, IN THE EVENT IRAQI 
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN CONTINUED TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

THE OFFICIAL CHINA DAILY NEWSPAPER ON MONDAY CARRIED EXCERPTS 
FROM A COMMENTARY CRITICAL OF THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN -- 
SAYING THE PRESTIGE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES IS AT RISK.  (SIGNED)

NEB/HO/  

23-Feb-98 8:55 AM EST (1355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.