Malaysia opposed to U.S. mediation

Malaysia opposed to U.S. mediation

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia opposes any mediation by the
United States or other third parties to resolve a dispute between
six Asian nations over the Spratly Island chain, local media
reported Thursday.

Malaysia's newly appointed foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar,
said countries with overlapping claims to the group of islands in
the South China Sea should come to terms on the issue among
themselves, the Bernama national news agency reported.

On Tuesday, Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said
that his U.S. counterpart, William Cohen, had offered to help
resolve the dispute by sponsoring a meeting among the countries
involved.

Mercado said the meeting would be an opportunity for the U.S.
"to play the role of an honest broker."

The Spratlys straddle vital sea lanes in the South China Sea
and are believed to be sitting atop rich deposits of oil and
natural gas.