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CHINA OPPOSES USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAN OVER NUCLEAR PROGRAM
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 - 20:24 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - China urged Iran on Friday, Nov 4 to show flexibility
over its controversial nuclear program and warned that the use of
force to resolve the issue was the last thing the Middle East needed
at the moment.
The United States, Britain and France have turned up the pressure on
Tehran ahead of next week's release of a keenly awaited U.N. report
that may offer new details about the military side of Iran's nuclear
program.
Washington and its European allies suspect Iran is developing the
capability to produce atomic weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear
energy program. Iran denies wanting atom bombs and insists its program
is for generating electricity.
Russia and China have urged the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief to
give Iran time to study and respond to allegations of possible
military-linked atomic activities before he publishes the report.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing
that China did not condone any Middle Eastern country developing
nuclear weapons.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency should adopt an impartial and
objective stance and seek positive cooperation with Iran to clarify
certain questions," Hong said. "Iran should also show flexibility
and sincerity and have earnest cooperation with the IAEA."
The IAEA's report is expected to unveil detailed intelligence pointing
to military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, while stopping
short of saying explicitly that Tehran is trying to build such weapons.
The United States and Israel have repeatedly hinted at the possible
use of force against Iranian nuclear sites, eliciting threats of
fierce retaliation from the Islamic Republic. Hong said that would
be a very bad idea.
"China opposes the use of force or the threat of the use of force in
international affairs. At present, avoiding any new upheaval in the
Middle East is extremely important." China would play a "constructive
role" in pushing for the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear
issue by diplomatic means, Hong added.
Russia and China have backed four rounds of U.N. sanctions on Iran
since 2006 over its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear work that could
have both civilian and military uses.
But they criticized the United States and the European Union last
year for taking extra unilateral steps against Iran and Moscow has
signaled its opposition to any new U.N. Security Council sanctions,
Reuters reported.
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 - 20:24 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - China urged Iran on Friday, Nov 4 to show flexibility
over its controversial nuclear program and warned that the use of
force to resolve the issue was the last thing the Middle East needed
at the moment.
The United States, Britain and France have turned up the pressure on
Tehran ahead of next week's release of a keenly awaited U.N. report
that may offer new details about the military side of Iran's nuclear
program.
Washington and its European allies suspect Iran is developing the
capability to produce atomic weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear
energy program. Iran denies wanting atom bombs and insists its program
is for generating electricity.
Russia and China have urged the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief to
give Iran time to study and respond to allegations of possible
military-linked atomic activities before he publishes the report.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing
that China did not condone any Middle Eastern country developing
nuclear weapons.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency should adopt an impartial and
objective stance and seek positive cooperation with Iran to clarify
certain questions," Hong said. "Iran should also show flexibility
and sincerity and have earnest cooperation with the IAEA."
The IAEA's report is expected to unveil detailed intelligence pointing
to military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, while stopping
short of saying explicitly that Tehran is trying to build such weapons.
The United States and Israel have repeatedly hinted at the possible
use of force against Iranian nuclear sites, eliciting threats of
fierce retaliation from the Islamic Republic. Hong said that would
be a very bad idea.
"China opposes the use of force or the threat of the use of force in
international affairs. At present, avoiding any new upheaval in the
Middle East is extremely important." China would play a "constructive
role" in pushing for the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear
issue by diplomatic means, Hong added.
Russia and China have backed four rounds of U.N. sanctions on Iran
since 2006 over its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear work that could
have both civilian and military uses.
But they criticized the United States and the European Union last
year for taking extra unilateral steps against Iran and Moscow has
signaled its opposition to any new U.N. Security Council sanctions,
Reuters reported.