China: Will do anything to solve Iran issue

VIDEO- BEIJING - According to a source from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's entourage in Beijing, Chinese leaders told Olmert that "China will do anything to reach the solution that everyone, including you, wants." Nonetheless, the leaders emphasized that they prefer to take the diplomatic route of dialogue when dealing with this matter. Sources from Olmert's entourage felt this was the main diplomatic achievement reached in the visit to Beijing. According to these sources, this statement made by the Chinese leaders deeply strengthens the dialogue on the Iranian issue. Olmert told his Chinese counterpart that "everything needs to be done to prevent the nightmare of the Iranian nuclear program from becoming a reality." Olmert emphasized that "despite the fact that our preferred solution is diplomatic, if Iran does not stand by it, financial sanctions should be imposed on it." Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told Olmert about their meeting with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who visited Beijing last week. "We want Iran to work with the atomic supervision agency. Therefore we must talk with all parties," a Chinese official was quoted as saying. China's stance unchanged At the end of the meeting between Olmert and Jintao, Olmert left the Chinese parliament with a positive feeling. China has not changed its stance on the Iranian nuclear issue it opposes Iran's nuclear program and the enrichment of uranium for the development of nuclear weapons. However, China is not one of the three permanent members of the UN Security Council who wish to take harsher steps against Ahmadinejad's regime. China has vast economic ties with Iran, from which it imports 12 percent of the oil it consumes, and would like to preserve them. Therefore, China is working with Moscow to minimize resolution 1737's sanctions on Iran. Olmert left these meetings "surprised and encouraged" by the leaders' supportive position of Israel's stance on this matter. In fact, China's stance had not changed. Olmert's only comfort was in the kindness the Chinese PM and president showed him on his visit. A senior source in Olmert's office reported that the three had also discussed the Palestinian issue. Olmert told the leaders that the main obstacle in the way of negotiations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stems from lack agreement within the Palestinian society. President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao addressed Olmert's meeting with Abbas, and told Olmert that they had been following the matter. "From China's point of view, this is the beginning of the road," they said. The Chinese leaders also offered Olmert any financial aid that may be needed in this matter.

China: Will do anything to solve Iran issue

(VIDEO) PM Olmert sums up visit in Beijing, tells Chinese hosts 'Iranian nuclear nightmare must be prevented', Chinese leaders offer aid in Palestinian matter