Us Philippines Security Talks

[Okieboy]

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MANILA (Reuters) - China is likely to be high on the agenda at top level U.S.-Philippine security talks on Monday as Washington refocuses its foreign policy on Asia and Manila realizes its limits in trying to solve territorial disputes with Beijing alone.

China has maritime spats with several countries in the South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas and crossed by important shipping lanes, and its neighbors fear its growing naval reach in staking claims.

Those disputes are pushing the Philippines to seek closer cooperation with the United States, which in turn has prompted China to warn Washington against getting involved, denouncing last week's U.S.-Philippine military drills as bringing the risk of armed conflict closer.

"I'm sure we need to be diplomatic, but I don't think we should tip-toe around the Chinese on this," said Walter Lohman, director of the Asian Studies Center with the conservative Washington-based Heritage Foundation think tank.

"...There is nothing new about the U.S. exercising with the Philippines. We shouldn't refrain because the Chinese don't like it. In fact, I expect the (Washington meeting) will come up with some agreement on increasing the frequency and variety of exercises, ship visits. Also expect agreement on hardware, joint use of Philippines' training facilities and bases."

The talks also coincide with a potential new source of tension between Washington and Beijing after blind activist Chen Guangcheng was reported late last week to have sought U.S. protection in the Chinese capital after an audacious escape from 19 months under house arrest.

On Sunday, China said it had made "stern representations" to the Philippines about its proposal for international arbitration over Scarborough Shoal, site of the most recent stand-off between the two sides.

"China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and do nothing to expand or complicate matters," the ministry cited Deng Zhonghua, head of its department of boundary and ocean affairs, as saying.

Manila's moves to strengthen security ties with its former colonial master coincide with the U.S. foreign policy "pivot" towards Asia to concentrate on, among other things, North Korea's nuclear ambitions and China's military buildup.

Twenty years after the Philippines voted to remove American bases, it now wants to give U.S. troops more access to its ports and airfields.

"We enjoy a really close military-to-military relationship with the Philippines and I think certainly coming out of this two plus two, we'll be looking for ways to improve and enhance that relationship," said Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain John Kirby, referring to talks between the defence and foreign secretaries, the highest-level security talks yet between the two sides.

"But it is safe to say that ... our relationship with the Philippines is part and parcel of the larger shift to focus on the Asia-Pacific."

A Philippine general familiar with the discussions to be held in Washington said the United States had a list of airfields in the Philippines that it could use for routine deployment of tankers, fighters and transport planes.

"These are not new bases for the Americans, these are still our facilities," said the general who declined to be identified. "They are only asking us if we can share some of our idle space with them."

Kirby said the United States wanted to continue "a rotational and training" relationship. "We're certainly not looking ... for permanent basing there."

This is nevertheless a sensitive area for Philippine President Benigno Aquino, some of whose political advisers are uncomfortable with an expanding U.S. role.

The U.S. plan to use Philippine airports is not new. At the height of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the mid-2000s, Manila allowed U.S. military planes to refuel at an airport in northernmost Batanes province, close to Taiwan.

"We don't want them back, they create noise when most of us are already asleep," Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad said of U.S. transport planes landing at night in Basco airport.

Abad is one of Aquino's closest political advisers. Another political adviser told Reuters Aquino would not allow a de facto basing arrangement.

"That's a violation of our constitution," he said.

Philippine foreign and defence officials, however, will use the Washington talks to try to get U.S. backing on its position in the South China Sea, invoking freedom of navigation.

"I think we would want all nations, including the U.S., to make a judgment as to what is happening there (in the South China Sea) and what the implications are to their own security," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has said.

A retired Philippine flag officer said Washington, which is shuffling and redeploying its forces around Asia, including in Japan and Australia, wanted to rebuild the "air bridge" between Northeast and Southeast Asia.

"They are trying to plug these holes when they left Clark in 1992," he said, referring to a former U.S. air base in the northern Philippines. "They need airfields more than ports because most of their tactical aircraft are based too far from potential hotspots in Southeast Asia."

Richard Jacobson, of Pacific Strategies and Assessments, cautioned both sides against playing the China card, saying he did not see naval standoffs in the South China Sea as dramatic enough to improve U.S.-Philippines relations.

"It appears more likely that any new strategic partnership will evolve gradually over time," Jacobson told Reuters

[retired]

Excellent synpsois okie... Suspect there will be demonstrations against US presence but realistically what options does the Philippines have ?

[Mike S]

Send all those radical student protesters who are out of school right now to the Spratley Islands to defend it against the Chinese ....... would solve two problems .... give'm something to do and put their deeds where their mouth seems to be ...... could also label it as Pinoy Pride ....... IMHO ..... :hystery: :hystery: :hystery:

[Okieboy]

Yes i saw an artical a few months ago about the troop movment from Japan but the amount to Guam was lower than stated previous ,it also listed the Philippines as a place some would relocate to, i think this has been in the works for some time, not on a permanent bases for now, keeping a low profile.

[Call me bubba]

Send all those radical student protesters who are out of school right now to the Spratley Islands to defend it against the Chinese ....... would solve two problems .... give'm something to do and put their deeds where their mouth seems to be ...... could also label it as Pinoy Pride ....... IMHO ..... :hystery: :hystery: :hystery:

Cant verify this as 100% (as it was overheard at an US function of expats in manila)

as the truth but some of those protesters against the US Embassy at a later time.

will apply for their B1/B2 visitors or "work" visa

Funny they will protest then turn around ask for "persmission" to come,

The U.S. plan to use Philippine airports is not new. At the height of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the mid-2000s, Manila allowed U.S. military planes to refuel at an airport in northernmost Batanes province, close to Taiwan.

"We don't want them back, they create noise when most of us are already asleep," Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad said of U.S. transport planes landing at night in Basco airport.

WELL dont planes create noise?

(what about those who have late night sing a longs or drinking parties,doesntthat create noise too)

The airplanes landed at night & created noise while people was asleep.(was it 1,2 or 20?)

Well BUTCH dont bite the hand that feeds your people. Just think of how much THAT airport made in lamding fees, sales of Jet Fuel. (compared to the usual ones thats used)

Just curious of why this Man is complaining? money was made for his "airport",

men earned an extra salary as it was late night,

Edited May 2, 2012 by Call me Bubba

[Mike S]

those protesters against the US Embassy at a later time. will apply for their B1/B2 visitors or "work" visa Funny they will protest then turn around ask for "persmission" to come,

Funny that's exactly what my asawa said the other night ..... and she also added ...... "I wonder how many of their relatives are in the US as OFW's and sending money back here so that these people can do their protesting" .....

[Jollygoodfellow]

WELL dont planes create noise? (what about those who have late night sing a longs or drinking parties,doesntthat create noise too) The airplanes landed at night & created noise while people was asleep.(was it 1,2 or 20?) Well BUTCH dont bite the hand that feeds your people. Just think of how much THAT airport made in lamding fees, sales of Jet Fuel. (compared to the usual ones thats used) Just curious of why this Man is complaining? money was made for his "airport", men earned an extra salary as it was late night,

Well I often work in an area where the military planes come and go here in Australia and I would say it would be hard to adapt to the noise in my useless opinion. Think about it if they wanted to build an airport or highway next to you! Same response as most is my guess.