Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan talked over the phone with
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad
of Qatar, the current presiding country of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference, and some other foreign ministers Tuesday as
previously arranged.
Ivanov introduced the Russian stance on the present anti- terrorism
fight. He stressed that it is impossible for military action to
solve all issues concerning anti-terrorism. More attention should
be paid to the role of the United Nations in the regard of
international politics and military strikes should have clear
targets and avoid action spreading to other countries.
He
said the international community should support the establishment
of a coalition government with a wide-ranging basis in Afghanistan.
Russia hopes to step up coordination and cooperation with China to
jointly safeguard international security and stability.
Tang thanked Ivanov for outlining the Russian stance. He said that
Russia is being severely harmed by the Chechenian terrorists as
China is also harmed by separatist-minded Eastern Turkistan
terrorists. China and Russia have the same stance and interest on
the issue of anti-terrorism.
Tang said China is willing to work with Russia to continue mutual
support and cooperation in line with the spirit of the strategic
partnership of cooperation.
He
also said that, as a neighboring country to Afghanistan, China has
made unswerving efforts for many years to help peacefully solve the
Afghan issue. China has always held that the formation of an Afghan
coalition government which can be accepted by all parties and is
able to co-operate with neighboring countries in a friendly manner
would be beneficial to the Afghan people and conducive to regional
peace and stability.
When talking with Hamad, Tang repeated China's anti-terrorism
stance. He said that over the next two days an urgent meeting would
be held in Qatar for foreign ministers of Arabian and Islamic
countries. Tang noted that like China, Islamic countries are also
victims of terrorism. China is willing to reinforce and broaden
consultation and cooperation with Islamic countries in fighting
terrorism.
He
said that China is clearly opposed to associating terrorism with
any religion, nationality or region. In striking terrorism, efforts
should be made to eradicate its roots.
Hamad said that the Islamic world has strong friendly relationship
with China, and has always attached importance to consultation and
cooperation with China in international affairs.
The Islamic world is opposed to any terrorist activities and it is
necessary to distinguish between terrorists and Islam, Hamad
said.
He
also expressed full agreement on the stance of the Chinese
government on anti-terrorism, and held that the UN is the best
mechanism for reinforcing anti-terrorism cooperation of the
international community.
Tang also talked over the phone Tuesday with Indian FM Singh and
Thai FM Surakiat.
(People’s Daily
10/09/2001)