ID :
185556
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/185556
The shortlink copeid
US NAVY KEEN ON EXPLAINING PRESENCE IN SOUTH CHINA SEA - AHMAD ZAHID
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The United States Navy plans to engage in unofficial dialogue with countries seeking territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea to explain the reason behind its presence there.
Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such an initiative was crucial as the Americans wanted to underscore that their presence was merely to maintain stability in the area said to be rich in hydrocarbon resources.
"They also want to ensure that they (natural resources) could be shared and used to develop the countries concerned," he told reporters after receiving the commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Williard, at the Defence Ministry here Tuesday.
Ahmad Zahid said such dialogue aimed to prevent any conflict among the countries with overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
"The US wants to explain that its presence is to safeguard the area although there's no official international agreement to this effect," he said.
The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are being claimed wholly or partly by Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Brunei and the Philippines.
Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such an initiative was crucial as the Americans wanted to underscore that their presence was merely to maintain stability in the area said to be rich in hydrocarbon resources.
"They also want to ensure that they (natural resources) could be shared and used to develop the countries concerned," he told reporters after receiving the commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Williard, at the Defence Ministry here Tuesday.
Ahmad Zahid said such dialogue aimed to prevent any conflict among the countries with overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
"The US wants to explain that its presence is to safeguard the area although there's no official international agreement to this effect," he said.
The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are being claimed wholly or partly by Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Brunei and the Philippines.
