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DATE=5/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249500
TITLE=ESTRADA / SPRATLYS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA SAYS HOW THE DISPUTE 
OVER THE SPRATLY ISLANDS BETWEEN HIS GOVERNMENT AND CHINA IS 
RESOLVED, WILL SET THE COURSE FOR DEALINGS BETWEEN LARGE POWERS 
AND THEIR SMALLER NEIGHBORS IN ASIA.  VOA'S GRACE CUTLER REPORTS 
FROM HONG KONG,  MR. ESTRADA CALLED FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION TO 
FIND A SOLUTION.
TEXT:  MR. ESTRADA TOLD A MEETING OF ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS 
EXECUTIVES IN HONG KONG THAT THE DISPUTE OVER OWNERSHIP OF THE 
CLUSTER OF ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, IS ABOUT MORE THAN 
TERRITORIAL CLAIMS.   
                              //ESTRADA ACT//
         WE ARE DEEPLY CONVINCED THAT THIS REPRESENTS NOT JUST 
         THE CLAIMS OF INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES BUT OUR CLAIMS FOR 
         OUR COMMON ASPIRATION OF SECURITY, PEACE AND SURVIVAL 
         FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA.
                              //END ACT/. 
THE SPRATLYS, WHOSE WATERS ARE BELIEVED TO BE RICH  IN OIL, ARE 
CLAIMED WHOLLY OR IN PART BY THE  PHILIPPINES, TAIWAN, VIETNAM 
MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI.  
CHINA AND THE PHILIPPINES HAVE RECENTLY QUARRELED OVER ONE OF THE
ISLANDS, CALLED MISCHIEF REEF.  MANILA ACCUSED BEIJING OF 
BUILDING A MILITARY GARRISON ON THE TINY OUTCROP.  THE CHINESE 
CLAIM IT IS A SHELTER FOR ITS FISHERMEN.  
MR. ESTRADA SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TOWARD A PEACEFUL 
RESOLUTION  OF WHAT SOME SECURITY ANALYSTS SAY IS SOUTHEAST 
ASIA'S NUMBER ONE FLASHPOINT. 
                              //ESTRADA ACT//
         WE ARE SEEKING TO DEAL RESPONSIBLY WITH THE PEOPLE'S 
         REPUBLIC OF CHINA THROUGH DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY. THE 
         NEED IS OBVIOUS FOR MORE CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE BETWEEN 
         OUR TWO COUNTRIES AND WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE 
         REGION.
                              //END ACT//
 MR. ESTRADA SAYS THE OUTCOME OF THE DISPUTE WILL HAVE AN IMPACT 
WELL BEYOND THE REGION, NOTING THAT THE SPRATLYS ARE ASTRIDE A 
MAJOR ROUTE FOR OIL AND OTHER TRADE, THAT CONNECTS THE WESTERN 
PACIFIC WITH THE INDIAN OCEAN AND PERSIAN GULF.   (SIGNED)
NEB/GC/FC/PLM
18-May-99 6:18 AM EDT (1018 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.