China and France state opposition to North Korean nuclear test

CHINA: The leaders of China and France jointly expressed serious concern Thursday over North Korea's nuclear test, calling it contrary to the stated goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

"The two sides expressed their grave concern over the fact that North Korea proceeded with the October 9 nuclear test," French President Jacques Chirac and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao said in a joint communique issued after they held talks here.

"This is contrary to the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the efforts of the international community to strengthen the non-proliferation regime.".The statemeat also called Thursday for Iran to honour a UN resolution threatening sanctions on Tehran if it failed to end its nuclear program.

"The two sides call for respect of Security Council resolution 1696 and agree to pursue their joint efforts for a resolution of the nuclear issue to maintain a close a permanent contact on this matter," the statement said.

The UN Security Council passed resolution 1696 three months ago, demanding that Iran halt its controversial nuclear development by August 31 or face possible sanctions.

The resolution expressed "serious concern" at Iran's refusal to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency orders to halt uranium enrichment and other nuclear work.

Iran has so far failed to comply with the resolution and UN Security Council members are reviewing a tougher resolution mandating sanctions.

Earlier.China pledged to advance and protect human rights and fundamental liberties in the joint statement.

"It is a due necessity of nations to advance and protect all human rights and fundamental liberties," said the joint communique.

"China and France underscore the necessity of advancing and protecting human rights in accordance with the goals and principles of the UN Charter."

Upon arriving to Beijing Wednesday, Chirac singled out China's attitude on human rights as a particular area of concern for the country's leaders as they look ahead to hosting the 2008 Olympics.

He said the Beijing Games would lead to both "economic and social repercussions" for China's rulers as the host city becomes the focus of world attention.

"China will have to come to terms with these realities, particularly the problems related to humans rights," Chirac said.

Chirac told reporters that the two nations had agreed to advance their bilateral human rights dialogue.

The also reiterated Thursday their desire for the lifting of a European arms embargo on Beijing that has been in place since 1989.

"The two sides believe that the moment has come for the EU to make the most of the expanding partnership between the EU and China, most notably by lifting the arms embargo which is no longer pertinent to the present situation," French President Jacques Chirac and his counterpart Hu Jintao said.

The statement also called on the European Union to recognize "as soon as possible China's market economic status."

The EU implemented the arms embargo following Beijing's bloody crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy protests.

Beijing, Thursday, AFP