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.