Tang said inspections in Iraq have made progress and the UN inspectors should be given more time to do their job.

Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on Iraq, he said it is the universal hope of the international community to see a political resolution of the issue within the UN framework. He added that the international community places tremendous expectations on the inspection work of the UN inspection teams.

He said Iraq must implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions strictly, comprehensively and earnestly.

He urged the Iraqi side to fully recognize the importance and urgency of the inspections and provide more cooperation in a more proactive way.

He noted that the recent visit to Baghdad by the two chief UN inspectors yielded some positive results and the Iraqi side has made some commitments. He said that China requests that Iraq make good on its promises as soon as possible.

Tang stressed the need to continue inspection in Iraq and said it remains the important task of the international community to continue with the implementation of resolution 1441, which provides explicit authorization and specific requirements for inspections.

He noted that inspections have made progress and clarified quite a number of issues. However, new developments have also been discovered in that process.

"The two bodies are duty-bound and justified to further the inspections with the aim of finding out the truth and fulfilling the mission conferred on them by the Security Council," he added.

He said China believes that the inspection process is working and that the inspectors should continue to be given the time they need so as to carry out resolution 1441.

Tang urged the Security Council to step up its support for the inspections. Noting that the Iraqi issue bears on the peace and stability in the Gulf region and on the credibility and authority of the council, he stressed that the council should deal with the complex situation appropriately and in a responsible manner in line with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter so as to fulfill its important task of maintaining international peace and security.

The minister also expressed China's readiness to continue to provide the two bodies with personnel assistance and necessary technical aid and to promote common efforts toward the political settlement of the Iraqi issue.

Tang came here Thursday for the Security Council meeting on Iraq, the second visit to New York in 10 days.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2003)