Q: Recently, the UN coordinator for humanitarian affairs in Iraq handed in a letter of resignation to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a protest against almost ten years of UN sanctions imposed on Iraq. The World Food Program representative in Iraq also announced to quit the job for the same reason. Does China have any comment on the resignations of the two senior representatives of international organizations in Iraq as a protest against UN sanctions against Iraq?


A: China is concerned over the resignation of the two senior representatives of international organizations in Iraq. They have made positive and praiseworthy efforts while in office to improve the humanitarian situations in Iraq. We hope that UN Secretary-General will appoint as soon as possible appropriate candidates to take up these positions. China has long been of the view that the "oil-for-food" program of the United Nations should be effectively and fully implemented in order to ease the humanitarian difficulties facing the Iraqi people. Yet regrettably, the program has not been effectively and successfully carried through due to the obstruction by some individual member states. We urge the member states concerned to adopt a constructive and responsible approach so as to create conditions for the improvement of humanitarian situations in Iraq.