Posted by Reginald Beltran/philippines on April 15, 1997 at 23:33:33:
We the government of the Philippines applauds the Chinese
government in desiring to expand the list of nations
that have a valid claim on the Spratly Islands. We
the government of the Philippines hopes that China would
follow an unprecedented policy in recognizing these claims,
particularly the claims of Taiwan. Also, a complete list
of nations is unnecessary because by including the ASEAN in
the conference, ALL nations, including Taiwan, involved in
the Spratly issue, will be part of the final status talks.
Although the Chinese have claimed to have had "talks" with
other governments, including the government of the Philippines,
it is obvious that these talks proved fruitless, because
of China's questionable desire for peace in the region,
nothing was settled with these "bilateral talks". My country's
position remain clear, until China recognizes the claims of
the various nations of ASEAN on the Spratly Islands, including
the Taiwanese claims, then a conference as called upon in
UNOL-R1 is necessary to solve the issue. Although we would like
an ASEAN ruling on the issue, we conceded to allowing
third parties as mediators for the spirit of compromise.
Unlike our imperialist neighbor, we are not seeking personal
gains on this issue. An ASEAN ruling or a Security Council ruling
would be biased because China is not a member of ASEAN and
China has too much power in the Security Council. Thus,
we supported and proposed a conference between ASEAN members
and China with objective mediators to finalize the status
of the Spratly Islands. Only through this conference
can we find a ruling that would prove favorable to
the Philippines, Taiwan, China and the other honorable
ASEAN members. China's disapproval of UNOL-R1 is consistent
with their lack of a desire of peace in the Spratly Islands
and their policy to claim the islands for themselves. In conclusion,
delegates, the government of the Philippines appeals
to you to uphold our desire of peace by allowing this conference.
It will finalize the Spratly issue with a fair ruling to
all ASEAN members and hopefully even China.