Jiang, Chirac discuss Iraq
( 2003-03-07 00:16 ) (1 )

President Jiang Zemin exchanged views with French President Jacques Chirac on the Iraqi situation last night in a telephone conversation.

Chirac said the Iraqi issue was at an important juncture and the resolution of the stand-off will influence the future of the world.

France holds that the United Nations (UN) Security Council should not pass a resolution authorizing war on Iraq and the international community should jointly work to avoid war.

Jiang said UN Resolution 1441 was working reasonably well and its weapons inspection mechanism should be strengthened.

The door to peace should not be closed, said Jiang, adding that a political solution, not war, is the best answer.

China's stance on the Iraq issue is in line with the joint declaration made by France, Germany and Russia, and China supports it, Jiang said.