CHINA / National
Hu, Bush discuss Iran nuclear issue
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-02 10:22
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday told U.S. President George W.
Bush that he welcomed the U.S. stance on resolving the Iran nuclear issue
through diplomatic means and its willingness to join negotiations on the
issue.
The Chinese government believed the international non-proliferation
system should be maintained and the Iran issue be resolved in a peaceful
way through diplomatic means and talks, Hu said in a telephone
conversation with Bush Thursday night.
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett (R) addresses the media as
Deputy Foreign Minister of China Dai Bingguo (L), French Foreign Minister
Philippe Douste-Blazy (2nd L) and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice (3rd L) watch during a news briefing in the British residence in
Vienna June 1, 2006. Major world powers on Thursday agreed on a package
of incentives for Iran to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work, as well as
penalties if it does not, Beckett told reporters. [Reuters]
"China is ready to maintain contact and coordination with the United
States and play a constructive role in resuming negotiations at an early
date," a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Hu as saying.
Bush told Hu that his country was determined to resolve the Iran nuclear
issue through diplomatic means.
He said as long as Iran agreed to suspend its uranium enrichment
activities in verifiable ways, the United States would join relevant
negotiations.
The Iran nuclear issue is reaching a critical stage.
Earlier on Thursday, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr
Mottaki told reporters in Teheran that Iran welcomed direct talks with
Washington, but would not give up its nuclear rights.
Senior representatives from the five permanent members of the United
Nations Security Council and Germany were to meet in Viennaon Thursday to
discuss the issue, China's Foreign Ministry said earlier.
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo would attend the meeting, which
was expected to focus on a decision to offer Iran apackage of incentives
in return for suspension of its nuclear activities.
The six nations achieved some progress in forming a common position at a
meeting in London last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, France, Germany and Britain, or the EU-3, have been trying to
work out a package of both incentives and possible penalties to persuade
Iran to suspend its nuclear programs.
Mottaki said in Malaysia on Tuesday that Iran was ready to restart
negotiations with the three European countries.
Hu also told Bush he was ready to work with Bush to advance bilateral
relations in a healthy and stable way.
Hu said during his visit to the United States in April, he and Bush
reached an important consensus on promoting bilateral constructive and
cooperative relations in the 21st Century.
"This is of great significance to the development of relations between
China and the United States," Hu said.
Bush said it was important for both leaders to exchange ideas on
strategic cooperation through such ways as telephone conversations.
Calling Hu's visit to the United States a success, Bush said hewas
looking forward to meeting Hu again to exchange opinions on bilateral
ties.
Hu paid his first state visit to the United States from April 18 to 21
this year. Bush's last visit to Beijing was in November 2005.
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