CHINA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW URGES IRAQ TO RE-ADMIT WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
Record ID:
222943
CHINA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW URGES IRAQ TO RE-ADMIT WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
- Title: CHINA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW URGES IRAQ TO RE-ADMIT WEAPONS INSPECTORS.
- Date: 17th July 2002
- Summary: (U2) BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 16, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/LV: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW WALKING ONTO PODIUM AT TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY; STUDENTS LISTENING; STRAW TALKING (3 SHOTS) 0.21 2. CU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, SAYING: "What we want to see is Iraq following a peaceful future, which does not threaten its neighbours through its development of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, as my Prime Minister made clear when he was with United States' President Bush at Crawford in Texas at Easter, our Easter, this year, what we want to see is the readmittance of the weapons inspectors and a facility for them to do their job without condition. And if that were to happen, then I think that conversation about military action would be much reduced. As we say, the ball is in Iraq's court." 1.06 3. GV: STRAW STANDING 1.13 4. CU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, SAYING: "China, along with the international community, of course we all have to work hard together to make the universal declaration of human rights a universal application - China for example has already ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. I hope, as you mentioned, you will ratify the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights shortly. The application of these conventions and other human rights norms will remain a key benchmark for the reputation of all states in the coming decade. We look forward to continuing our discussion on these issues in our biannual dialogue on human rights." 1.58 5. GV: AUDITORIUM 2.04 6. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, SAYING: "As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Britain and China are in a pivotal position to influence development affecting every corner of the globe: increased cooperations on counter-terrorism, peace-keeping, conflict-prevention and peace-building can help to build a secure international order out of the chaos of 11th September. We also have to find a collective will to strengthen the international rule of law." 2.39 7. MV/GV: STUDENTS LISTENING; STUDENTS APPLAUD STRAW (2 SHOTS) 2.52 8. GV/MV: VARIOUS OF STRAW VISITING CLASS ON BRITISH LAW AT PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY; TEACHER; STUDENTS (5 SHOTS) 3.35 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 1st August 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Reuters ID: LVAYI7YBHWQP9HAI44V89HNZJZ9
- Story Text: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has urged Iraq to
readmit weapons inspectors into the country, saying it was the
only way to reduce the threat of military action against
Baghdad. He made the comments on a three-day visit to Beijing.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Tuesday (July
16) urged Iraq to readmit weapons inspectors into the country,
saying it was the only way to reduce the threat of military
action against Baghdad.
Straw made the comments in a speech at Tsinghua University
during his three-day visit to Beijing.
"What we want to see is Iraq following a peaceful future,
which does not threaten its neighbours through its development
of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, as my Prime
Minister made clear when he was with United States' President
Bush at Crawford in Texas at Easter, our Easter, this year,
what we want to see is the readmittance of the weapons
inspectors and a facility for them to do their job without
condition. And if that were to happen, then I think that
conversation about military action would be much reduced.
As we say, the ball is in Iraq's court," Straw said.
U.S. President Bush recently vowed to use "all tools" to
oust Saddam Hussein, accused by Washington of trying to build
weapons of mass destruction, but has yet to approve military
action.
Straw also expressed hope that China will apply
international conventions on human rights.
"China along with the international community - of course
we all have to work hard together to make the universal
declaration of human rights a universal application - China
for example has already ratified the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. I hope, as you
mentioned, you will ratify the Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights shortly. The application of these conventions and other
human rights norms will remain a key benchmark for the reputation
of allN states in the coming decade. We look forward to continuing
our discussion on these issues in our biannual dialogue on human
rights," Straw said.
China has consistently come under fire from international
groups for its record on human rights. In a report earlier
this year, human rights group Amnesty International said China
executed more people than all other countries put together in
2001 - charges denied by China.
On relations with China, Straw said it was vital to
cooperate more closely on international security issues.
"As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Britain
and China are in a pivotal position to influence development
affecting every corner of the globe: increased cooperations on
counter-terrorism, peace-keeping, conflict-prevention and
peace-building can help to build a secure international order
out of the chaos of 11th September. We also have to find a
collective will to strengthen the international rule of law,"
Straw said.
Straw arrived in Beijing on Sunday (July 14) as part of an
Asian tour that will take him to Japan, Hong Kong, India and
Pakistan.
Straw held talks on Monday with Chinese President Jiang
Zemin (pron: Jiang Zur-min), Vice Premier Qian Qichen (pron:
Chien Chee-chun) and Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan
(pron: Tang Jia-shwen).
The focus of the talks was ways to increase security
cooperation in the wake of September 11.
The trip - Straw's first to China - is also designed to
improve bilateral trade and cultural exchanges.
Straw visited a Law Summer School at the People's
University on Tuesday, a week-long course for Chinese law
students conducted by British lawyers and funded by the
British government.
Straw will head to India on Friday, followed by Pakistan,
in another attempt to reduce tensions in the region over the
disputed territory of Kashmir.
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