Clinton, del Rosario urge ASEAN to take a common position on Scarborough Shoal

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations "to clearly outline its position on the Scarborough Shoal" and "to complete a regional Code of Conduct in a timely fashion" during yesterday's ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting which she co-chaired with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario.

Clinton's statement came on the heels of del Rosario's declaration that the current situation in the West Philippine Sea deserves urgent attention from ASEAN because it has direct impact on unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in the region.

For his part, del Rosario articulated in the meeting that "the adherence of all countries in the region to a set of fair and transparent rules, as embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , will generate greater mutual trust and respect in the region."

The U.S. Secretary of State further said, "What might be a challenge today for some of ASEAN's members, if left unaddressed by all of ASEAN, could lead tomorrow to issues that may become problems for (the rest of) other ASEAN members." This was in reference to the tensions in the West Philippine Sea generated by the maritime disputes involving China and four ASEAN members, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.

Clinton added that the U.S. "looks to ASEAN and claimant States to provide leadership in this issue and recognize(s) the important role of the Chair to find consensus and advance a common ASEAN position."

"ASEAN needs to meet its own goals and standards and be able to speak with one voice on issues facing the region," Clinton stressed.

On July 9, ASEAN foreign ministers have agreed on the elements of a regional Code of Conduct on the South China Sea and have tasked its senior officials to engage in formal discussions with China on this matter. - Official Gazette — ARA