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DATE=7/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251945
TITLE=ASEAN / PHILIPPINES / CHINA (L-ONLY)  
BYLINE=RUTH  YOUNGBLOOD
DATELINE=SINGAPORE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO: THE PHILIPPINES HAS PUSHED ITS RELUCTANT SOUTHEAST ASIAN 
NEIGHBORS (TUESDAY) TOWARDS ADOPTING A REGIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT 
FOR DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA TERRITORIES. AS RUTH YOUNGBLOOD 
REPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, THE MOVE CAME DURING A SENIOR OFFICIALS 
MEETING AT THE OPENING OF THE ANNUAL GATHERING  OF THE 
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, OR ASEAN.
 TEXT:  THE INITIAL MEETING OF DELEGATES FROM THE 10-MEMBER ASEAN
WAS CLOUDED BY THE SINKING OF A CHINESE FISHING VESSEL OFF THE 
DISPUTED SPRATLY ISLANDS.   IT WAS THE SECOND TIME SINCE LATE 
APRIL THAT A CHINESE BOAT COLLIDED WITH A PHILIPPINE NAVAL VESSEL
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.  
A PHILIPPINE DELEGATE TO THE 32ND ASEAN SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING 
SAYS THE INCIDENT COULD SWING OPINION FOR OR AGAINST THE 
PHILIPPINE'S PROPOSED CODE OF CONDUCT -- WHICH AIMS TO PREVENT 
ACCIDENTAL ENCOUNTERS AMONG RIVAL CLAIMANTS  TO THE SPRATLYS AND 
OTHER DISPUTED TERRITORIES. 
PHILIPPINE FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY LAURO BAJA SAYS MANILA WILL NOT
BACK DOWN ON THIS PROPOSAL TO PREVENT AN UNNECESSARY ESCALATION 
OF TENSIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. SEVERAL ASEAN STATES CLAIM  
ALL OR PART OF THE OIL AND MINERAL RICH SPRATLYS.  THEY ARE THE 
PHILIPPINES, MALAYSIA, BRUNEI AND VIETNAM.  CHINA, AN ASEAN 
DIALOGUE PARTNER, CLAIMS THE ENTIRE ARCHIPELAGO AND SO DOES 
TAIWAN.
THE CODE OF CONDUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION BY ASEAN  OFFICIALS 
INCLUDES A RENUNCIATION OF THE USE OR THREAT OF FORCE AND A BAN 
ON FURTHER OCCUPATION OR CONSTRUCTION IN THE SPRATLYS.  IT 
STIPULATES NEW PERMANENT STRUCTURES OR FACILITIES SHALL BE 
UNDERTAKEN ONLY ON A BILATERAL OR MULTILATERAL BASIS. 
MALAYSIA HAS BEEN THE MOST OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF THE CODE OF 
CONDUCT PROPOSAL, WITH OFFICIALS INSISTING THE SPRATLY DISPUTE 
SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN UP AT ALL DURING THE MINISTERIAL MEETING.  //
OPT //  MALAYSIA INSISTS A SHOAL, ALSO CLAIMED BY MANILA, IS 
WITHIN ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS. THE PHILIPPINES HAS ALSO BEEN 
ENTANGLED IN A DIPLOMATIC ROW WITH CHINA OVER STRUCTURES ON 
ANOTHER REEF. // END OPT //
CHINA IS ALSO QUESTIONING THE NEED FOR ANOTHER PACT.  THE 
PHILIPPINES HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THE CAMPAIGNING FOR AN 
INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/RY/GC/JO/PLM
20-Jul-99 4:16 AM EDT (0816 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.