Iraq:  Chinese Company in Missile Fuel Talks With Iraq

Iraq has attempted to purchase a chemical used as a missile fuel component from a Chinese state-run company, the Washington Times reported.

U.S. intelligence officials uncovered the talks between Iraq and the Chinese company in August and relayed the information to the White House.  Although there has been no evidence of any transfer of materials, U.S. officials said that the talks indicated China has not stopped selling arms to rogue nations.

“Chinese arms proliferation activities to the Mideast have continued unabated,” a U.S. official said (Bill Gertz, Washington Times, Oct. 16).

The revelation comes as Chinese officials have recently suggested closer military ties with the United States.

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian last week said that better military relations would stabilize the region.  Chi told the Xinhua News Agency that China wants “military relations with the United States in the spirit of mutual respect, mutual reciprocity and equal consultation.”

Chinese President Jiang Zemin is scheduled to visit the United States on Oct. 22 (Associated Press/ Kuala Lumpur Star, Oct. 16).

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