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.