MIDDLE EAST BRIEF OCPAS MEA 87-256 FOR 3 NOVEMBER 1987.

Created: 11/3/1987

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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I. PERSIAN GUIF: SITUATION REPORT.

1. PERSIAN GULF: SITUATION REPORT

BEIJING DENIES US ARMS SALES CHARGES

CHINA REFUTED RECENT US STATE HE NTS ACCUSING BEIJINGARKS SALES TO TEHRANADIOBROADCAST TO IRANTHE FARS1-IANGUAGE BROADCAST CHARGED WASHINGTONTHE SHARP EDGE OF ITS SWORD" ON BEIJING AND TRYING TOBETWEEN CHINA AND THE PERSIAN GULF STATES IN ORDER TOFOR GULF TENSIONS ONTO BEIJING. BEIJING DESCRIBED THEAS COMPLETE FABRICATIONS AND ARGUED THAT ANY COUNTRYCHANNELS RICE. MLHlal

COMMENT: THIS BROADCAST IS CHINA'S FIRST PUBLIC REACTION TO

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STORIES THAT APPEAREO IM THE US PRESS UST WEEK ON CHINESE AflHS SALES TO IRAN. IT WAS STRONGLY WOflOEO BUT CARRIEO NO THREAT OF RETALIATION FOR THE US OECISIOH TO POSTPONE CONSIDERATION OF LIBERALIZATION OF COCOM RESTRICTIONS ON CHINA. BY LIMITING ITS RESPONSEROAOCAST TO IRAN. BEIJING PROBABLY HOPES TO AVOID FUELING THE DEBATE WITH WASHINGTON OVER THE ARHS SALES ISSUE WHILE REASSURING TEHRAN THATA IS MOTG TO US PRESSURE,

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Original document.

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