China says Saddam must comply

BEIJING (Reuters) - Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is facing his "last chance" to avoid giving the United States a legal basis for action against him, China's official English-language China Daily has said.

The newspaper, in a strongly worded editorial aimed directly at Saddam, said on Wednesday he must fulfil a promise to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors fully or risk losing support against a U.S. invasion.

"This is the last chance for Saddam Hussein to deprive the Americans of a legal case against himself," the paper said.

"An Iraqi failure to satisfy the inspectors' requests might give Bush the excuse he craves to forcefully carry out his coveted 'regime change' in Iraq," it said.

On Tuesday, China made its most positive statement yet on a new Iraq resolution being crafted by the United States and Britain to pave the way for an attack if Iraq failed to honour all past U.N. demands.

The Foreign Ministry said China would consider a possible resolution by the United States and Britain to use force if Iraq did not meet demands for weapons inspections.

China -- a permanent security council member with veto power along with United States, Britain, France and Russia -- has welcomed Iraq's decision to allow the unconditional return of inspectors but is expected to abstain from any council vote on the use of force.

The China Daily editorial balanced its warning to Saddam with a call for the United Nations to guard against acting in the interest of any individual country.

"Even if the Iraq pledge of co-operation ultimately proves to be filibustering, as some Americans claim, the U.N. must beware of the legal boundaries of its own authority," it said.

"The U.N. Security Council has to see to it that arms inspectors know where the borderline is between national sovereignty and international concern," it said.

Although "past aggression" by Iraq had subjected it to international scrutiny, the country deserved to be treated decently, it said.

Analysts say Beijing is caught between a desire to keep ties with Iraq sweet and secure access to its oil while trying to improve relations with Washington.

But diplomats say China's recent statements have reflected a more open-minded attitude to action on Iraq than 10 years ago, when it abstained from almost all Security Council votes in the run-up to the 1991 Gulf War and opposed sanctions on Iraq afterwards.

I am a Chinese, and below is my response:

You want a regime change of Iraq?
Ok, go ahead, because ousting Saddam is also favored by Iraqis, Arabs and the whole world.

But, we suggest you show enough respect for Iraqi people, because they suffered a lot in the past and now you are asking them to suffer more and sacrifice a lot for a brighter future they are supposed to have. Please try avoid any civilian casualities, simply because Iraqis are also human beings, which you tend to foget. And taking away Iraqi lives can not make 911 victims back to life.

One thing I just can't understand. If the thing you want most is to get rid of Saddam and stop his mass-destructive-weapon plan, you can send a special force ,some CIA spies, and even some Iraqis and Kuwaits to do some limited military actions, why insist on a full-out war against Iraq. Smart as a people as you are, you should be able to figure out a better way other than war.

Your comments and point of view are welcome - it's the American way. You should note however, that the conventional war against the Iraqi regime you envision may not be in the works. This administration has shown no desire either launch a few long-range cruise missiles at empty tents or aspirin factories, nor has it sought a military plan targeting innocent civilians. In fact, the Afghanistan mission was keen on leveraging local opposition groups and precision strikes against Taliban and Al-Qaida targets only - the opposite of the current Iraqi regime who routinely savage its own citizens. In the end, Afghan people danced in the streets of Kabul to celebrate their liberation from the hate-filled Taliban regime.

Make no mistake - America will protect its vital national security interests while preserving basic human rights throughout the world. Iraq is only the second wave in our long-range struggle to rid the world of terrorists and the regimes who harbor them. The effort will take years, but every step we take will be measured by the international community whose ongoing support we need to route out the bad guys.

But, we suggest you show enough respect for Iraqi people,

We did that the last time in Desert Storm. Sure we bombed the heck out of them but we took prisoners, showed mercy and treated them well.

I was there and saw how we treated the prisoners first hand, firm but fair.

Ok, go ahead, because ousting Saddam is also favored by Iraqis, Arabs and the whole world.

Back at you when we oust the Zhong Guo Gong Chang Dang.

Are you with us?

No,sorry. CCP is doing well right now. We do not need another violent revolution, and we hate foreign interference. CCP is now actually undergoing a rapid transformation, and we expect the transformation is going to speed up after Jiang Zemin steps down.

As far as I can see, America is now facing terrorism , racism, and a lot of other problems. Please solve your own problem first.

Too bad.

We are ousting them as well in due time.

And your analysis about Iraq is true for them.

Chinese people all over China will cheer when the Gong Chang Dang is gone.

Sorry you are against us. I cannot understand people who support the Nazis, or Chinese communists etc....

But then, understanding you makes no difference. Knowing you are evil and will be stopped is what matters.

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