China calls for wider consultation

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, SEPT. 13. China said today that if NATO were to take military action outside Europe, in the wake of Tuesday's bloody attack in New York and Washington, then wider consultations were necessary. ``NATO is a regional military organisation within Europe, so if action is taken beyond Europe, it will have implications. So, that's why I think consultation is needed,'' China's Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Guangya, was quoted as saying in Beijing.

On the kind of assistance China would offer, Mr. Wang stated: ``I think we will study the case when evidence is being presented. Our attitude towards international cooperation against terrorism is positive... it all depends on the final formula.''

In a related development, the U.S. President, Mr. George Bush, spoke by telephone with his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Jiang Zemin. ``China will increase dialogue and cooperation with the United States and the international community to crack down on all forms of terrorist activities,'' Mr. Jiang was quoted as telling Mr. Bush.

It would appear that China has reservations about the use of force by NATO outside Europe, and prefers wider international consultation before possible retaliation by an America-led alliance. Here, Beijing might prefer any use of force to be authorised by the U.N. Security Council - which would ensure that China has its say on the issue before the go-ahead is given.

There are indications that other countries too may have reservations about the kind of action that Washington proposes to take in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

There is little doubt that the U.S.-led response to the terrorist acts will have wider acceptance if they have international support.

China is a key country, and the U.S. would do well to bring it in prior to any retaliation it proposes. On the other hand, given the current international consensus on the need for a response to the terrorist action, Beijing would hardly like to be the odd country out.

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Section  : International
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