[gennickO]

2012-05-21 10:24:04(Beijing Time) SINA.com


America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea

Concerning the ongoing Sino-Philippine Huangyan disputes, Russia openly voiced its objection for the first time against any
meddling in the South China Sea by "outsiders", namely, non-claimants.

Russian Federation Ambassador to Manila Nikolay Kudashev said over the weekend that Russia is "mindful" of the fact that,
countries like the United States, which is not a party to the dispute, has been playing a role in the escalated standoff
between China and the Philippines.

This is the first time that a Russian government official has spoken directly about the Sino- Philippine island spat.

The Russian envoy said Russia would favor "a peaceful, negotiated solution by the regional countries, by the countries
involved themselves, first and foremost, on the basis of talks and dialogue."

With regard to the "outsiders" or countries not directly involved in the dispute such as the United States, Russia, and
Europe, Kudashev said that they all possess "convincing legal experience, legal practice and maybe even some ideas."

"If they are being invited by consensus to enrich the legal process, the negotiating process, then it is okay," the ambassador
said. "Well, otherwise we would prefer the regional countries to come to a consensus first," he added.