Late Asean statement comes up short

PHNOM PENH—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) belatedly agreed Friday on a common statement on how to handle conflicting territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), but it failed to deal with the crux of last week’s disagreements.

The Philippines and Vietnam had wanted the post-conference statement to mention their separate territorial disputes with China, including a reference to the recent standoff between Philippines and China at the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is claimed by both countries.

Cambodia, which hosted last week’s meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Phnom Penh, had rejected that proposal. A close China ally, it has mimicked Beijing’s stand that the disputes should not be brought to a multinational forum like Asean but should be negotiated instead by rival claimants one on one.

No mention of disputes

Friday’s belated statement, released by Cambodia, failed to mention the touchy disputes. It did showcase, however, a unified Asean stand on certain aspects of West Philippine Sea disputes, such as a restated agreement to solve them peacefully.

While the Philippines backed the statement, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said in Manila that the country would insist that the territorial disputes be mentioned in future Asean joint statements.

The Philippines and Vietnam say that Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea, could block freedom of navigation in the strategic and busy waters, which Beijing claims virtually in their entirety.

Divisions underscored

Because of the disagreements at last week’s meeting, the foreign ministers failed to issue a postconference statement for the first time in Asean’s 45-year history, underscoring the divisions within the group over the handling of the West Philippine Sea disputes.

Various long-standing disputes involving the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei involve busy sea lanes that are believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits. Many fear the disputes could spark a violent conflict.

The new statement calls in general terms for implementation of Asean-promoted principles for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, including avoiding the use of force, resolving conflicts in accordance with international laws, and an early signing of a legally binding “code of conduct” aimed at thwarting any major armed conflict.

Indonesian lobbying

It was agreed upon after vigorous lobbying by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

Singapore’s foreign ministry welcomed it, saying: “It goes some way to repair the damage caused by the failure” of last week’s meeting to release a statement.