Manila, KL agree code of conduct

Manila, KL agree code of conduct

MANILA (AFP): The foreign ministers of Malaysia and the
Philippines agreed on Thursday on the need for a code of conduct
for the disputed Spratly islands and said they were hopeful of a
deal at this month's ASEAN summit.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, on a two-day
visit, confirmed that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad
would attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
informal summit in this country later this month.

Albar said "the Philippines and Malaysia (share) the same
position" on the proposed code, which would govern the conduct of
countries which claim the Spratlys with the aim of preventing
disputes escalating into armed conflict.

The Spratlys, a chain of tiny islets and coral reefs in the
South China Sea which are believed to sit on vast mineral
resources, are wholly or partially claimed by Brunei, China,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. All but Brunei
have troops posted on the islands.