Clinton supports RP over Spratlys

Clinton supports RP over Spratlys

MANILA (Reuters): President Bill Clinton has pledged U.S.
support for the Philippines in the event of any conflict over the
disputed Spratly Islands, Philippine President Joseph Estrada
said on Wednesday.

Estrada, in an interview with the Manila radio station DZMM
from Auckland, New Zealand, said Clinton made the pledge during
their talks on the sidelines of the just-ended Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The Spratlys are a cluster of potentially oil-rich isles,
reefs and rocky outcrops in the South China Sea claimed wholly or
in part by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and
Brunei. The issue periodically sours relations between claimants.

Asked if the U.S. statement would also apply in case of a
Philippine conflict with China, Estrada said: "Whoever it is we
get into conflict with, if there is intrusion into our territory,
if there is external aggression, they are ready to defend our
country. This does not refer to China only."