Workshop sets out framework<\/p>\n
BUKITTINGGI, West Sumatra (JP): The participants of the fifth
\nSouth China Sea workshop have set up a Technical Working Group on
\nLegal Matters in an apparent effort to avoid discussing sensitive
\nterritorial and sovereignty claims.<\/p>\n
The workshop's organizing committee said in a closing
\nstatement issued yesterday that the Working Group, which is
\nscheduled to convene in Thailand next year, will focus on the
\nlegal aspects of confidence building measures.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Ambassador-at-Large for the Law of the Sea,
\nHasjim Djalal, told reporters earlier that a continuation of the
\nTechnical Working Group on Marine Scientific Research, whose
\nproposal on bio-diversity had been endorsed by the participants
\nearlier, will be formulated early next year in Hanoi. At that
\ntime they expect to finalize their project proposals on the
\ndevelopment of a database for information exchange and
\nnetworking, as well as on sea level and tide monitoring.<\/p>\n
The bio-diversity projects, which will be implemented in two
\nstages, will cost US$3.6 million for three years. Hasjim said he
\nwill now start to seek donor countries or organizations which are
\ninterested in assisting the programs.<\/p>\n
\"They are not planning to work on huge, money-consuming
\nprojects. We are more interested in using these projects as a
\nmeans to get together and cooperate,\" Hasjim said.<\/p>\n
Reports<\/p>\n
The workshop on managing potential conflicts in the South
\nChina Sea, which is hosted annually by Indonesia, is scheduled to
\nwind up the talks and distribute its preliminary reports today.<\/p>\n
In order to manage the overlapping claims in the Spratly and
\nParacel Islands by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam,
\nChina and Taiwan, the six claimants, plus five other countries in
\nthe region -- Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia
\n-- have agreed that cooperation projects in the South China Sea
\nwould be conducive for the development of the region and help
\nprevent open conflicts.<\/p>\n
According to Hasjim, the Technical Working Group on Shipping,
\nNavigation and Communications, which was established in the
\nprevious workshop in Surabaya last year, but which has never
\nconvened due to difficulties in picking a venue, has given Taiwan
\nand China until Dec. 31 to resolve their impasse regarding the
\nvenue of the group's first meeting.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, other members of the group are being encouraged to
\nconsult their authorities on the possibility of hosting this
\nfirst meeting in case the impasse between the two countries
\ncannot be resolved.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's statement said that the Technical Working Group on
\nShipping, Navigation and Communication will address topics, which
\ninclude search and rescue, piracy, drug-trafficking and the
\nproblem of refugees.<\/p>\n
The five-day workshop, which was attended by almost 70
\nexperts, academics, scientists and government officials on an
\nindividual basis, also agreed that it was premature to consider
\ninstitutionalizing or formalizing the workshop process.<\/p>\n
The participants agreed, however, that the implementation of
\nagreed project proposals may require the participation of
\nrelevant government agencies, thus resulting in some kind of
\n\"formalization\" of certain workshop activities.<\/p>\n
Participants also agreed that a small staff, or secretariat
\nwas needed to support the workshop's activities. This is in line
\nwith the earlier proposal raised by Minister of Foreign Affairs
\nAli Alatas at the opening of the workshop.<\/p>\n
Non-South China Sea countries, as well as other regional and
\nglobal organizations, will also be invited to involve themselves
\nand participate in the realization of specific projects of
\ncooperation where necessary; meaning they are welcome to provide
\ntechnical and financial assistance.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Taiwan's proposal for the expansion of the specific
\nissue of the Spratlys and Paracels to a more general level of
\n\"territorial claims and disputes\" has not been adopted by the
\nworkshop as reported in this paper yesterday.<\/p>\n
Taiwan made the proposal after disagreements developed over
\nwhether the specific issue should be incorporated and resolved in
\nthe workshop. (pwn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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