DATE=7/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ASEAN-SECURITY (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252146
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Southeast Asian foreign ministers have begun a
series of meetings in Singapore (Monday) with their
counterparts from other regions. Tensions arising
from territorial disputes are taking center stage at
the conference. V-O-A correspondent Gary Thomas
reports from our Southeast Asia bureau.
TEXT: The war of words between China and Taiwan, an
unresolved dispute over rocks and reefs in the South
China Sea, and growing North Korean missile expertise
dominated the first day of the ASEAN regional forum.
Taiwan's unilateral declaration of equality with China
was the main topic of discussion between the 10 ASEAN
foreign ministers and their counterparts from
elsewhere in Asia, North America, and Europe. Taiwan
now says discussions between it and China should be on
what it terms a "state to state" basis.
China talked tough talk, warning other nations not to
interfere in what China says is an internal dispute.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told ministers
China's sovereignty and territory are indivisible and
that Beijing will accept no violation or interference.
He repeated Beijing's assertion that Taiwan is an
inalienable part of China and said that his government
will not sit by if what he called "foreign forces"
tried to wrest the island from China.
Mr. Tang also advised the United States -- with which
China currently has a rocky relationship -- to say
little and act with great caution.
In a communique, the 10-member ASEAN bloc restated its
one-China policy.
China is also one of the six claimants to the Spratly
Islands in the South China Sea. Discussion arose
among the participants about the long-running dispute,
which has heightened tensions in the region. The
United States endorsed regional talks on the issue.
But a Chinese spokesman said the issue should be
resolved among the claimants, and that the regional
forum is not an appropriate place to discuss the
matter.
Ministers also agreed on the need to get North Korea
to drop its missile-testing program. Last August,
North Korea fired a test missile that streaked over
Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. Analysts
expect another test of a longer-range missile in the
near future. (Signed)
neb/gpt/jo/kl
26-Jul-1999 07:20 AM LOC (26-Jul-1999 1120 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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