US Senator McCain wants to arm Vietnam in case of 'crisis' with China

31 Mai 2015 , Rédigé par ileridefense Publié dans #Asie, #Occident

US Senator John McCain on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. (Photo: Jack Board)

By Jack Board

POSTED: 30 May 2015 13:27

"We'd like to see them have great capability, particularly with weapons that are defensive in nature, that could be used in the case of a crisis situation between Vietnam and China," the Senator says.

SINGAPORE: US Republican Senator John McCain has called for the gradual removal of the country's lethal arms embargo on Vietnam "as soon as possible".

Senator McCain made the remarks on Saturday (May 30) on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, arguing that Vietnam needs to be given the means to further deter "assertive behaviour" by Beijing in the South China Sea.

"We'd like to see them have great capability, particularly with weapons that are defensive in nature, that could be used in the case of a crisis situation between Vietnam and China," he said.

However, Senator McCain said there would be firm restrictions on the types of weaponry the US would sell if the decades-old embargo was fully lifted.

"The systems that I would like to sell is any system that is not related to the ability to abuse human rights; in other words, the kind of weaponry that would be for crowd control or used to harm individuals," he said.

The United States has been actively attempting to build the maritime capabilities of ASEAN nations embroiled in the South China Sea conflict including Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as boosting its military cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Australia, to blunt China's sphere of influence.

"We know the Philippines are heavily involved. They have very little maritime capability. Let's assess them in helping develop that capability," he said.

RECENT CHINA BEHAVIOUR NOT AN ACCIDENT

He also reiterated earlier comments from US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter about China's "blatant violation of international law" in the disputed territory. In a speech to delegates at the forum, Carter said "simply turning a rock into an airfield does not give territorial rights", in reference to China's reported installation of weaponry on reclaimed land.

"There is a scenario where you could see a crisis situation, but I am guardedly optimistic that that can be avoided, with a united ASEAN in partnership with the United States showing China that this is not a productive exercise that they're engaged with," said Senator McCain.

"We believe Secretary Carter's statement that we will fly anywhere and sail anywhere in international water, is a commitment. There is no 12-mile barrier around these reclaimed lands. To respect that would be a de facto recognition of what the Chinese are trying to achieve."

Senator McCain confirmed he and Senator Jack Reed had written a letter to the Defense Secretary requesting China not be invited to Exercise RIMPAC, the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, held biannually. He said he had not received a response to that request.

"We do not believe China's recent assertive behaviour is an accident; rather it appears to be concerted effort to change the status quo of the region, unilaterally, coercively and in blatant disregard of the view of its neighbours.

"China will likely continue its destabilising activities unless and until it perceives that the costs of doing so outweighs the benefits. Clearly it has not yet included that," he said.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will travel to Vietnam next week, as part of his ongoing tour of the region.

- CNA/kk

Source : Channel News Asia (Singapour)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/us-senator-mccain-wants/1881846.html

Relayé par H.G

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