Christopher urges peaceful settlement of Spratly disputes

Christopher urges peaceful settlement of Spratly disputes

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): The United States yesterday urged
China and rival claimants to the Spratly islands to work out a
settlement and pledged to keep 100,000 troops in Asia to preserve
regional stability.

"In this time of change, a stable U.S. presence is especially
important," Secretary of State Warren Christopher told an
international security forum hosted by the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Calling for "freedom of navigation" in Asian waters, he urged
"all claimants in the South China Sea to solve their disputes
through dialogue, and we reiterate our willingness to assist in
any way they deem helpful."

"We welcome China's statement that it will act in accordance
with international law, including the Law of the Sea, in its
efforts to resolve this dispute," he added.

The Spratlys are a reputedly oil-rich South China Sea
archipelago claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan and
ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. They
also straddle major sea lanes.

Christopher also appealed for broader Asian support for the
U.S.-led program to replace North Korea's nuclear facilities,
suspected of having been used to develop nuclear weapons, with
safer reactors.

"We are on the road to resolving this issue," Christopher told
the annual ASEAN Regional Forum, which includes 18 Asian, North
American and European nations and the European Union.

He reiterated a U.S. commitment to maintain 100,000 American
troops in Asia -- roughly equivalent to the U.S. military
presence in Europe -- and said Washington will keep "forward-
deployed forces" ready through access arrangements with Asian
nations.

He said that 50 years after World War II ended, "American
engagement in Asia remains as essential to our own security and
prosperity as ever before. That is why President Clinton has
renewed and reinforced our commitment to remain a Pacific power."

The U.S. military withdrew from air and naval bases in the
Philippines, its largest overseas, in 1992 but continues to have
a mutual defense pact with Manila. There are treaty alliances as
well with Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Australia.

Christopher, speaking hours ahead of bilateral talks with
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen late yesterday, said
Washington was committed to uphold its "one China" policy.

"We have no desire to contain or isolate China. I believe that
both the United States and China have a responsibility to
maintain constructive relationships with each other and with the
entire Pacific community."

Bilateral ties with Beijing have reached a new low after
Washington allowed Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to visit the
United States in June.

The arrest of Chinese-American activist Harry Wu on espionage
charges, trade disputes and Chinese military sales have also
soured the relationship of the two Pacific powers.