Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC

Q: Was the purpose of Assistant Secretary Welch's trip to China specifically to raise the question of the fiber optic work in Iraq, which violates UN sanctions, or were there other purposes for the visit? If so, what other issues were raised?

A: In early January, Assistant Secretary David Welch attended P-5 consultations on a range of UN issues in Shanghai. Afterwards he traveled to Beijing for a bilateral meeting with the Chinese acting foreign minister.

At this meeting, which was attended by US Ambassador Prueher, Assistant Secretary Welch raised our specific concerns about Chinese activities in Iraq outside the sanctions regime. We gave the Chinese government information on telecommunications projects in Iraq, including fiber optics.

Assistant Secretary Welch told the Chinese that we insist on full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Enforcing the sanctions regime and minimizing Saddam's threat is a vital U.S. interest to which we have committed tremendous effort and resources over the past decade.

Companies that provide goods and services outside of the UN sanctions regime undermine sanctions and challenge the authority of the UN Security Council.

We are still awaiting a detailed response to the points that were raised. Secretary Powell raised this point again this morning (2/21) with the Chinese Ambassador stressing the importance of compliance with UN Security Council sanctions.

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