Singapore meddling in Spratlys - Filipino Foreign Affairs
The Philippine Star
October 21, 2002
By Aurea Calica
WELCOME to the fray.
In a surprising development, the city-state of Singapore is
meddling in a declaration that claimant countries to the South
China Sea territories, particularly the Spratly islands, want to
adopt in an effort to avoid conflict in the oil- and mineral-rich
area.
Highly placed sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
said Singapore made representations in a recent senior officials
meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) about
its desire to have non-claimant countries included in any
declaration over the South China Sea.
"We do not know Singapore?s interests," one of the sources said.
"Its officials merely said they are entitled to be involved under
the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea
(UNCLOS)."
The sources disclosed that Singapore does not want the declaration
on the South China Sea to be confined exclusively between China and
the other Spratly claimants in ASEAN.
The DFA officials said the concerned parties are only having
problems with the phrase stopping claimant countries from
"erecting" structures in the South China Sea to avoid tension in
the area.
Manila initially batted for the creation of a code of conduct in
the South China Sea, but years of negotiations failed to get China
and the other Spratly claimants to sign a very specific agreement
binding them to guidelines that would avert hostilities in the
area.
The Spratlys are being claimed in whole or in part by China,
Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
The claimant countries seem more comfortable about adopting a
general declaration in line with international laws and agreements,
officials said.
The draft of the "Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the
South China Sea" states the reaffirmation of the "determination to
consolidate and develop the friendship and cooperation existing
between the countries claiming the Spratlys in whole or in part."
The draft document was prepared for the ratification of "member
states of the ASEAN and the People?s Republic of China."
The draft states that the signatories are "cognizant of the need to
promote a peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the
South China Sea between ASEAN and China for the enhancement of
peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity in the
region."
It also states the signatories? commitment "to enhancing the
principles and objectives of the 1997 Joint Statement of the
meeting of the heads of state/government of the member states of
ASEAN and the president of (China)," and aims "to enhance favorable
conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and
disputes among countries involved."
In this draft document, ASEAN member states and China "reaffirm
their respect for and commitment to the freedom of navigation in
and overflight above the South China Sea as provided for by the
universally recognized principles of international law, including
the 1982 (UNCLOS)."
Particularly, the draft provides for the parties involved in
territorial disputes to "resolve their territorial jurisdictional
disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use
of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by
sovereign states directly concerned," in accordance with both
international laws and the UNCLOS.
The clause that is the cause of the delay in the signing of this
agreement bars Spratly claimants from "inhabiting or erecting
structures on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals,
cays and other features."
Should it be ratified by ASEAN members and China, the code of
conduct would espouse the "holding of dialogues and exchange of
views as appropriate between their defense and military officials;
ensuring just and humane treatment for all persons who are either
in danger or distress; notifying, on a voluntary bass, other
parties concerned of any impending joint military exercise; and
exchanging, on a voluntary basis, relevant information."
The document also allows for "cooperative activities," including
marine environmental protection, marine scientific research, safety
of navigation and communication at sea, search and rescue operation
and combating transnational crime, including but not limited to,
trafficking in illicit drugs, piracy and armed robbery at sea and
illegal traffic in arms."
The agreement aims to explore "ways of building trust and
confidence" in accordance with the principles stated in the
document.
Links: http://www.singapore-window.org/sw02/021021ps.htm
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