US vows support on sea code

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE head of US Pacific Command said the United States pledges its support for Brunei to conclude a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, while also urging closer relations between ASEAN and China.

"The US role is to be supportive of ASEAN and be supportive of Brunei and its leadership role (as ASEAN chair)," Admiral Samuel Locklear told reporters in the capital yesterday.

The military commander, who is in Brunei for a three-day visit, said the region "desperately" needs a code of conduct to contain tensions in the resource-rich South China Sea, where China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines all have overlapping claims.

He said a code of conduct would govern how military and law enforcement from claimant countries interacts in the disputed waters. Several skirmishes between Chinese military and Filipino and Vietnamese forces have escalated tensions to new heights in recent years.

However, Locklear shied away from saying the US will directly intervene on ASEAN's behalf in negotiations: "Ultimately, it will be up to ASEAN and China to come to terms with what that code of conduct looks like. We're very supportive of it and hope that it comes quickly."

Speaking during a visit to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Officer Cadet School, he added that the US believes in claimants' right to seek resolution through international arbitration - such as a UN tribunal - a move that the Philippines has chosen to pursue in its territorial dispute with China.

"We are very supportive of using international forums to deal with these types of disputes... My perspective is that we should be using the vehicles that are recognised internationally as legal frameworks to bring these issues to the forefront and have them looked at and adjudicated."

China has rejected the Philippines' attempts to involve international parties, urging them to settle the matter bilaterally.

The US commander - who overseas more than 325,000 personnel, about a fifth of the US's military strength - also urged ASEAN countries and China to forge closer relations.

"As we move forward the relationship between ASEAN and China needs to be closer... I hope the Chinese will respect the leadership and position of ASEAN over time," he said.

"It's in their best interest to be a partner with ASEAN and to start developing things like a code of conduct."

Brunei's Deputy Defence Minister Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat added there should be no suspicion over the US's role in the region.

"I think Admiral Locklear's talk was very clear to me and there shouldn't be any doubt in the role and responsibility of US Pacific Command in the Asia Pacific area," he told The Brunei Times.

Brunei claims an area of the South China Sea which it considers its exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles from shore) as defined by UN law, but China claims almost 95 per cent of this area, which covers crucial shipping lanes and potential hydrocarbon reserves.

However, the tiny oil-rich nation does not see any benefit in quibbling with the regional giant, preferring to employ defence diplomacy to enhance its relationship with Beijing, in the hope of eventually coming to a solution over the territorial dispute.

"Defence elements are always important in peace and security. We hope to build confidence measures, and be open and transparent in our process and hopefully there's no misunderstanding or mistrust among the countries concerned, especially in defence. Our whole objective is to enhance interactions," said Dato Hj Mustappa. As Brunei chairs the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting (ADMM) in May, the deputy defence minister said it was crucial for Brunei to develop the right approach to make the meeting a success. "Hopefully during the ADMM in Brunei, we will be able to create the kind of environment where everybody sees the importance of this forum and the need for them to be there and involved in dialogue and consultation." "(We want) to avoid any misunderstanding on how we are going to deal with matters. So definitely we will provide opportunities for ministers to address issues but it has to be translated into some sort of strong commitment to strengthen our defence cooperation."

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times