According to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Blair briefed Jiang the British government's current stance on the issue. Blair said it has been nearly four months since the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1441, and there is not sufficient evidence of Iraq's willingness to fully cooperate with the United Nations.

Iraq has missed the last chance and the United Nations should take further measures, he said.

Jiang said the UN Security Council heard new reports on the weapons inspection from the two inspection organs on Friday, which showed the inspection process has made progress.

He said it is possible to solve the Iraq issue politically within the framework of the United Nations, provided the weapons inspection is continued and strengthened.

Jiang stressed that the world is facing many problems, and they can not be solved simply by force. War is of no good to all sides, he added.

To solve the problem by political means may take more time, but it would cost less and accord with the best interests of all parties, he said.

Jiang said he would welcome Blair on his planned visit to China in April.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2003)