-----Original Message----- sent you an article from The >Washington Times. > >Thought you might be interested in this if you did not know >about it. Henry n4uh > >----------------------------------------------------------- > >CHINESE WARSHIPS ANGER PHILIPPINES > >Bill Gertz >THE WASHINGTON TIMES > >----------------------------------------------------------- > >A Philippine government spokesman said yesterday that >Chinese warship deployments to disputed Spratlys islands are >a "major development" that could prompt diplomatic protests >to Beijing. > >Rigoberto Tiglao, a spokesman for Philippine President >Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the Chinese ship deployments, >if confirmed, represent "a major disturbance to the implicit >agreement that we maintain, that we don't disturb the status >quo of the Spratlys." > >The spokesman was commenting on an article in yesterday's >editions of The Washington Times that said U.S. intelligence >reports showed China was stepping up warship deployments in >the Spratlys. > >Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California Republican, said the >Chinese movement of ships to the Spratlys is "an example of >Chinese military adventurism off the Philippine coast." > >"This is more than disturbing," he said. "This is alarming." > >State Department spokesman Philip Reeker declined to >comment, but he reiterated the department's position on the >Spratlys that "all claimants to [the islands] should >exercise restraint." > >A dozen Chinese warships recently transited waters close to >the Spratlys, according to intelligence reports. They also >disclosed the first major Chinese naval deployments to >Scarborough Reef, where two of the Chinese warships were >spotted. > >U.S. intelligence officials said a Chinese Foreign Ministry >official in April promised that China would not seek to >establish a military presence near the reef. However, in May >the two Chinese warships and a vessel suspected of >intelligence gathering were deployed to Scarborough Reef, >and Chinese navy helicopters flew over the reef. > >Mr. Tiglao would not say if Manila planned to issue a formal >protest over the incursion, saying that the reports needed >to be verified first. > >Meanwhile, Chang Chun-hsiung, prime minister of the Republic >of China (Taiwan), said in Taipei that disputes regarding >the South China Sea should be settled peacefully. "We have >been promoting peace in the South China Sea," Mr. Chang said >of a recent trip to Tungsha Island, about 100 miles north of >the disputed Spratly islands group. > >Mr. Chang said nations in the region should approach their >differences according to the principles of "peaceful >settlement, joint exploration and sharing of resources." > >Taiwan occupies Taiping island, the largest of the Spratlys. > >The Spratlys are claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, the >Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. > >Mr. Chang noted that lingering tensions in the region could >become a flash point. > >"We know the South China Sea issues are ever-changing and >complicated. Training must be beefed up to safeguard the >sovereignty and territory," he said. > >. This article is based in part on wire service reports. > > >----------------------------------------------------------- >This article was mailed from The Washington Times >(http://www.washtimes.com/national/20010626-69686290.htm) >For more great articles, visit us at >http://www.washtimes.com > >Copyright (c) 2001 News World Communications, Inc. All >rights reserved. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-news To post a message, DX NEWS items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives available at http://www.mail-archive.com/dx-news%40pro-usa.net/ This is the DXR reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
