|
US seeks to calm
tensions, sources say
CONCERNED: While refusing to be drawn on
details, a spokesman said the US hopes there will be no escalation of the
dispute over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman
By William Lowther / Staff reporter in Washington
Acting deputy US Department of
State spokesman Patrick Ventrell speaks in Washington on Wednesday about the US¡¦
stance on the dispute between Taiwan and the Philippines.
Photo: CNA
The US may be playing a major
behind-the-scenes role in trying to calm growing tensions between Taiwan and the
Philippines over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman last week, a US Department
of State official indicated on Wednesday.
¡§We urge the Philippines and Taiwan to take all appropriate measures to clarify
disagreements and prevent recurrence of such tragic events,¡¨ acting deputy US
Department of State spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.
Ventrell confirmed the US was in close communication with both sides, but
refused to give details of Washington¡¦s diplomatic involvement.
¡§We¡¦re concerned by the increase in tensions between two neighboring democracies
and close partners of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region,¡¨ Ventrell
said.
He said that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III had appointed a personal
representative to Taiwan to convey his deep regret and to apologize.
Another diplomatic source told the Taipei Times that Washington was ¡§actively
engaged¡¨ in trying to stop the incident from escalating and that there had been
talks at the highest levels.
Speaking at the daily US Department of State press briefing, Ventrell said the
US continued to urge both parties to ensure maritime safety and refrain from
actions that could ¡§further escalate tensions¡¨ in the region, and undermine the
prospects for a rapid and effective resolution of differences.
¡§These are partners with whom we have extensive relationships,¡¨ he said. ¡§I¡¦m
not going to get into the day-to-day readout of our diplomacy, whether it¡¦s from
Washington or our posts overseas. I¡¦m just not going to get into that level of
detail.¡¨
He added that he did not know when the Philippine investigation into the
shooting would be completed.
¡§It appears the incident took place in or near disputed waters, where the
Philippines and Taiwan both claim fishing rights,¡¨ Ventrell said.
The US does not take a position on the proper location of a maritime boundary in
that area.
Ventrell was reminded at the hearing that President Ma Ying-jeou (°¨^¤E) had
rejected the Philippines¡¦ apology as lacking sincerity.
Asked if the US considered the apology to be sincere, Ventrell said that was a
determination for Taiwan to make and discuss ¡§as appropriate¡¨ with the
Philippines.
Ventrell was asked if the Taiwan-Philippines ¡§conflict¡¨ could undermine US
interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
¡§I¡¦m not going to draw that broad a conclusion, other than to say that we¡¦re
concerned about this increase in tension,¡¨ Ventrell said. ¡§These are two
partners that we have a robust relationship with ... and we want them to work
through their differences on this issue as expeditiously as they can.¡¨
Ventrell said that it was ¡§precisely incidents such as this¡¨ which underscore
the need for a code of conduct in the Pacific Ocean, where there are numerous
disputed areas of territorial waters.
Asked if the US had dissuaded Taiwan from sending a military vessel to protect
its fishermen in waters near the Philippines, Ventrell said he had no
information on that suggestion ¡§one way or the other.¡¨
|
