| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| US seeks no military base in talks with Philippines |
| 2012-01-27 |
| The United States says it has a common interest with the Philippines in protecting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea but does not want to re-establish a military base on its territory. As senior diplomats and defense officials from both countries began two days of annual strategic talks, both sides said the focus was on increasing military cooperation in other ways, such as joint exercises. Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Defense Department spokeswoman said, "The idea that we are looking to establish U.S. bases or permanently station U.S. forces in the Philippines, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia, as part of a China containment strategy is patently false." Philippine defense spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said the Philippines will discuss requests for an additional U.S. Coast Guard cutter, a squadron of F-16 fighter jets and other weapons. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #4 Agree wid #2 - IMO what Manila really desires is $$$, not new or refurbished US bases as many Filipinos remain sensitive to the issue despite any econ benefits to the country. That being said, CHINA is unilaterally proceeding wid establishing its presence + flag in PHIL-claimed SCS shoals off Palawan because the Philippines aren't able to militarily challenge or stop them. As before, the real crux for Rising China is getting absolute sovereign control oer TAIWAN + flanks of the air-sea corridor between OKINAWA + NORTHERN PHIL. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2012-01-27 19:17 |
| #3 Vietnam is still trying to lease Cam Rahn Bay back to us, and we have the new agreement with the Australians. Lots of nations in the Pacific are looking around and noticing that the US Navy is not as prevalent in the area as it used to be, and some of them are trying to arrange facility usage deals to get us to keep stationing ships in their area. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2012-01-27 18:10 |
| #2 There really isn't a need for a permanent base. What might work are operating agreements to utilize current Philippine facilities (and include necessary improvements). That would give a political 'out' for their government, provide some quiet military assistance to the Philippine military, and still be able to have a presence in the area. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2012-01-27 16:55 |
| #1 Sounds like Ron Paul has already been elected. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2012-01-27 15:39 |