CHINA PLEDGES TO STOP NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH IRAN

ISRAEL LINE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1997

  The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Tuesday that China
is freezing its agreement to build a nuclear reactor in Iran, HA'ARETZ
reported.  This announcement was widely viewed as a gesture to improve
relations with the United States prior to Chinese President Jiang Zemin's
tour of the U.S. beginning October 26.  The U.S. had been pushing China to
terminate this agreement, which provides Iran with nuclear material.
  MA'ARIV reported that Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov will
arrive in Israel on Sunday for a series of meetings with President Ezer
Weizman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister David Levy.
On the agenda will be the issue of Russian support for Iran's ballistic
missile development program.




ISRAEL LINE