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Iraqis assure full help on release
Iraq will exhaust every effort to help eight Chinese
citizens abducted in Iraq gain their freedom as soon as possible, Iraqi Interim
Government Deputy-President Rowsch Nuri Shaways said Thursday during a meeting
with Vice-President Zeng Qinghong. Shaways said he regrets the crisis and the Iraqi people and
government have strongly condemned the militants for holding the Chinese from
Fujian Province.
The vice-president said the foreign ministry and the Chinese
Embassy in Iraq are doing their best to resolve the situation.
Zeng said that reconstructing Iraq not only relates to the
war-torn nation's future but also influences regional stability, and noted China
is willing to offer assistance in the effort. China hopes the upcoming Iraqi election will help maintain
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, Zeng said. Through
the election, China hopes a new government that represents the interests of all
sectors within the country can be set up. Shaways said Iraq appreciates China's stance and policies on
the Iraqi issue, and hopes to receive additional support from China.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said the government is working
day and night on the hostage issue. "Every hour, we are in contact with our embassy in Baghdad,"
Li said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said: "for the sake of
the hostages' safety, there is nothing new to say." "But one thing for sure is that related government
departments will take all measures to rescue the Chinese citizens,'' he said.
"It is hoped the issue can be resolved as soon as possible
and our citizens can be back to the homeland and unify with their families."
Kong said Chinese people always have friendly feelings
toward Iraqi people, and the Chinese Government handles Iraq-related issues with
a view to defend Iraqi people's fundamental interests. Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference, also said Chinese people cherish
their friendship with the Iraqi people, and have always sympathized with them.
China will promote cooperation and personnel exchanges with
Iraq in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, equality and
reciprocity, Jia said.
Chinese officials later visited chairman of the Presbytery,
Harih Al-Dhari, to urge him to help locate the hostages and to appeal to the
kidnappers for their release. Arab TV stations and websites on Wednesday broadcast the
stance of the Chinese Government on Iraq and the Iraqi people after a press
conference held by the Chinese embassy on Tuesday evening.
The pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel, which showed a video
tape of the eight Chinese being flanked by masked gunmen, also air a wire
interview with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials. The kidnappers asked the Chinese Government to make clear
its position on Iraq as a condition for their release. Victims in April
2004 Wei Weilong, 28, one of the seven workers who were taken
hostage in April 2004 and was released later, is now making a living by making
fish balls in Audong Township. Wei told reporters that he failed to find a job after he
arrived in Iraq. Later, he was kidnapped by local militants, though they did not
harm him or the other hostages. "Life is tough for me," Wei said. He told China Daily that
he is now heavily indebted, owing 50,000 yuan (US$6,000), money he borrowed
before he went to Iraq last year. However, he can only earn 3,000 yuan to 4,000
yuan (US$362-483) a year. Wei expressed gratitude that the government helped get him
back home. A relative of Xue Yougui, also a hostage released last year
with Wei, told reporters that when Xue was kidnapped in Iraq last year, his
child was only several-months old then. Now, Xue works as a
fisherman. |
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