China denies giving intelligence on Iran

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_New..._on_iran/3734/

Published: April 4, 2008 at 12:57 AM

BEIJING, April 4 (UPI) -- China has described as fabrication a report it provided intelligence on Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons to the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Repeating China's officially stated stand that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomatic negotiations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, "The report is made of nothing and has originated from those with ulterior motives."

Britain's Daily Telegraph had reported China decided to help the International Atomic Energy Agency with intelligence on Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear technology after seized Iranian documents showed blueprints for turning uranium metal into warheads and the testing of high explosives used to set off radioactive material.

The documents also were said to concern the procurement of dual-use technology.

"China has always advocated a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations," the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Jiang as saying.

She said her government believes all parties should exert creativity and show flexibility for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the issue.