Malaysia, nước có quan hệ ngoại giao gần gũi với Trung Quốc, có thể đóng vai trò dẫn đầu trong việc đưa các bên có tuyên bố chủ quyền biển Đông cùng ngồi vào bàn đàm phán tại Putrajaya để xây dựng một cơ chế khu vực mạnh để chấm dứt tranh chấp và bàn cách làm thế nào để đưa ra sáng kiến, giám sát và đề ra quy tắc cùng khai thác chung nguồn dầu mỏ và khí đốt (Dr. TAN ENG BEE, Kajang, Selangor)
New Straits Times
Regional tension: KL can ease Spratly spat
New Straits Times
2011/06/15
THE Spratly Islands have become a serious regional issue involving several Asean nations, China and Taiwan.
It was reported that China warned its Asian neighbours to stop searching for oil near the Spratly Islands, and that China wanted to assert its sovereignty over the area in the South China Sea. This was the strongest statement issued by China to the other claimants of the Spratly Islands.
This is a cause for concern as the disputed islands are located in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, and are reported to be rich in oil and gas.
Though China has given its word through diplomatic channels that it would not resort to a military option over the Spratly Islands, the exchange of diplomatic protests between China and the Philippines speaks of the volatility of the situation.
Vietnam, too, accused China of intrusion and for creating tension in the region.
The South China Sea cannot be embroiled in an armed conflict as that will be catastrophic.
Tensions or armed clashes in the South China Sea will serve no purpose other than to plunge the world into chaos.
China stated that it would consider engaging with claimant countries in oil and gas exploration for the common good, an affirmative statement that should draw claimant countries to consider a comprehensive framework or a memorandum of understanding to avoid tension and uncertainty in the region.
Malaysia's stand is similar to China's, in that nations having an interest in the Spratly Islands should consider working together in the disputed region where oil and gas exploration can be collectively undertaken, as suggested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore recently.
Najib feels the way forward is through dialogue, engagement and consensus.
The Malaysian decision is sound, as there are no losers in the larger context.
Inevitably, the superpowers may be drawn into this conflict, creating a volatile situation that is detrimental to trade.
I support the advice of David Carden, Washington's ambassador to Asean nations, who said the Spratly claimants need to create a strong regional mechanism to tackle the dispute, and that the United States could help.
For that to be realised, claimant nations must be represented at the talks to ensure that collective action is taken decisively and speedily.
Malaysia, which maintains a strong diplomatic relationship with China, can take the lead to bring claimants to the negotiating table at Putrajaya to formulate a strong regional mechanism to end the dispute and to see how best oil and gas exploration can be jointly initiated, supervised and regulated, if at all "black gold" is found.
We have acted wisely and responsibly in some political or armed disputes in Asean countries and elsewhere, and we can do the same where the Spratly Islands are concerned.
DR TAN ENG BEE, Kajang, Selangor
Source: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/19spat/Article/#ixzz1Pi41ZX3U
