Viet Nam calls for joint efforts to peacefully solve Iraq issue
VIET NAM CALLS FOR JOINT EFFORTS TO PEACEFULLY SOLVE IRAQ ISSUE
Ha Noi, Feb. 6 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has called for concerted efforts to solve the Iraq issue by peaceful means, saying "UN weapons inspectors need more time to give their own conclusion."
"All parties concerned should cooperate in an active way to solve the Iraq issue by peaceful means," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh on Thursday.
Thanh made the comment when she was asked about Viet Nam's reaction to a speech by US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the Security Council on Wednesday, in which Powell said that Iraq was not cooperating with UN arms inspectors and still concealing weapons of mass destruction.
"Now as before, Viet Nam stands for settling the Iraq issue in a peaceful manner, on the basis of respect for Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and within the framework of the UN Charter and international law," Thanh reiterated.
"The UN arms inspectors need more time to carefully and prudently check the information they have obtained and make their own assessment," the spokeswoman said, stressing "The important thing to do now is to prevent war, maintain peace and stability in the region and elsewhere in the world."
