Heads of the organization expressed deep concern over the mounting risk of war in the Gulf region, saying that a war would benefit nobody.

They stressed that the two UN inspection bodies had delivered their reports to the UN Security Council showing that weapons inspections in Iraq had made progress and UN Resolution 1441 had produced results. They said the inspectors should be given more time to fulfill their missions under the resolution.

They said the question of peace or war was related to the safety of the lives and property of the Iraqi people and to peace and stability in the Gulf region.

All means should be taken to seek a political resolution of the issue and avert a war, the heads of the organization said.

They said it was the common aspiration of the world's people to maintain peace and avoid war. The Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament was ready to join with the people and peace groups of all countries to push for a peaceful solution.

They said the organization supported the principled stance of the Chinese government on the issue. They called for all relevant parties to take all means possible to seek a diplomatic, peaceful solution within the framework of the United Nations and according to the principle of the UN Charter and the norms of international law.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2003)