DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241074
TITLE=CHINA / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO:  CHINA IS URGING IRAQ TO COOPERATE WITH UNITED NATIONS 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS AS THE QUICKEST WAY TO END THE ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS THE U-N  SECURITY COUNCIL HAS IMPOSED ON BAGHDAD.  
V-O-A'S ROGER WILKISON REPORTS  FROM BEIJING THAT THE CHINESE 
FOREIGN MINISTRY IS CALLING ON ALL SIDES IN IRAQ'S LATEST 
STANDOFF WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT.

TEXT:  FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO TOLD REPORTERS 
THROUGH AN  INTERPRETER TUESDAY THAT CHINA IS CONCERNED ABOUT 
IRAQ'S DECISION OVER THE  WEEKEND TO SUSPEND COOPERATION WITH THE
U-N ARMS INSPECTORS AND MONITORS, COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS UNSCOM.

           //INTERPRETER ACTUALITY//

 WE EXPRESS OUR CONCERN AND DISQUIET OVER THIS DECISION BY IRAQ 
AND APPEAL TO IT TO RESUME ITS COMPREHENSIVE COOPERATION WITH 
UNSCOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

           //END ACTUALITY//

MR. ZHU SAID THAT, IN EXCHANGE FOR IRAQI COOPERATION, THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL  SHOULD MOVE TOWARD A REVIEW OF THE ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS THAT IT IMPOSED ON BAGHDAD EIGHT YEARS AGO.

          //INTERPRETER ACTUALITY//

 IRAQ SHOULD FULLY FULFILL ITS RELEVANT OBLIGATIONS.  AT THE SAME
TIME, THE SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD MAKE AN OBJECTIVE AND FAIR 
EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION OF THE INSPECTION WORK ALREADY DONE AND
GRADUALLY LIFT THE SANCTIONS ON IRAQ.

            //END ACTUALITY//

AFTER THE GULF WAR IN 1991, THE SECURITY COUNCIL MADE LIFTING THE
SANCTIONS CONTINGENT UPON BAGHDAD'S DISMANTLING OF SUSPECTED 
NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS.  CHINA HAS, IN
THE PAST, URGED AN END TO THE SANCTIONS, WHICH IT SAYS ARE TAKING
A HEAVY TOLL ON THE IRAQI PEOPLE.

/// REST OPT /// 

IRAQ'S LATEST DECISION TO END CONTACTS WITH UNSCOM HAS TRIGGERED 
SUGGESTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN THAT MILITARY 
RETALIATION MAY  BE ONE WAY TO GET IRAQ TO COMPLY WITH SECURITY 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVES.  CHINA  HAS LONG OPPOSED ANY SUCH MILITARY 
ACTION, AND MR. ZHU CALLED TUESDAY FOR DIALOGUE INSTEAD OF 
CONFRONTATION TO OVERCOME THE LATEST IMPASSE.

            //INTERPRETER ACTUALITY//

 WE HOPE THE RELEVANT PARTIES CAN EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND ENDEAVOR
TO  PROPERLY SOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND CONTRADICTIONS THROUGH 
DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION.

             //END ACTUALITY//

MR. ZHU SUGGESTED THAT SUCH AN APPROACH CAN LEAD TO AN EARLY 
CONCLUSION OF ARMS INSPECTIONS EFFORTS AND A LIFTING OF SANCTIONS
AGAINST IRAQ. (SIGNED)

NEB/RW/GC/FC

03-Nov-98 6:12 AM EST (1112 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.