U.S. to Question China About Bush Comment

WASHINGTON Nov 1, 2004 — The State Department will ask the Chinese government about comments by a former senior Chinese official who accused President Bush of trying to "rule over the whole world."

Spokesman Adam Ereli said Monday the comments by Qian Qichen, a former vice premier and former foreign minister, were not consistent with the views outlined by Chinese officials during a visit to Beijing last week by Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Qian's commentary in a state newspaper said the invasion of Iraq "destroyed the hard-won global anti-terror coalition."

Ereli told reporters, "We will be discussing the remarks further with the Chinese government for purposes of clarification."