The Hindu : China reaffirms role in Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003

International

International

China reaffirms role in Iraq

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE DEC. 30. The Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has assured the U.S. of sustained participation in the international efforts to restore peace and stability in Iraq "as soon as possible" and to reconstruct its shattered economy and civil society.

Mr. Hu conveyed this message to the U.S. President's Special Envoy, James Baker, in Beijing on Monday. Mr. Baker had earlier held talks with the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, in Tokyo.

The Chinese position is significant for two reasons, according to diplomatic observers. First, China's stature as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council might give the U.S. a sense of comfort in dealing with the crisis in Iraq, given Washington's differences with France on this issue. The second factor was the indication that the U.S. might not exclude China from development projects in Iraq. As of now, these projects are largely based on U.S.-sponsored contracts.

Mr. Hu said it was the "common expectation of the international community" that peace and stability be restored in Iraq so as to facilitate its reconstruction. According to the Chinese side, Mr. Baker noted that the rebuilding of Iraq would not only benefit its people and pave the way for regional peace but also "serve the common interests of the U.S. and China". Mr. Baker alluded to Washington's cooperation with Beijing as regards both the Iraqi situation and the North Korean nuclear-weapons `programme.' It was against this background that Mr. Baker wanted China to join the U.S. in solving the Iraqi debt issue.

Mr. Hu said that Beijing and Washington should promote the development of a "constructive partnership" between the two through more frequent consultations on international and regional issues.

It was on that bilateral note that Mr. Hu briefed Mr. Baker on Beijing's stand on Taiwan in the context of Washington's recent China-friendly remarks on this issue.

On the U.S. efforts to get as much of Iraq's foreign debt written off as might be possible, the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, told Mr. Baker, that Beijing would consider reducing the level of debts that Baghdad owed to China. The Chinaese move was traceable to "humanitarian concerns," Mr. Wen said.

The two leaders discussed the idea of resolving Iraq's debt crisis through concerted action by all countries that had lent to Baghdad in the past.

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