JAPAN: U.S. Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta urges calm on East China Sea island dispute and pledges to boost security vetting in Afghanistan
Record ID:
466772
JAPAN: U.S. Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta urges calm on East China Sea island dispute and pledges to boost security vetting in Afghanistan
- Title: JAPAN: U.S. Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta urges calm on East China Sea island dispute and pledges to boost security vetting in Afghanistan
- Date: 17th September 2012
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 17, 2012) (REUTERS) +++CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY+++ VARIOUS OF UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA SHAKING HANDS WITH JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER KOICHIRO GEMBA PANETTA HOLDING TALKS WITH GEMBA PANETTA LISTENING TO GEMBA VARIOUS OF GEMBA TALKING TO PANETTA U.S. AND JAPANESE FLAGS ON TABLE PANETTA POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS WITH JAPANESE DEFENCE MINISTER SATOSHI MORIMOTO VARIOUS OF PANETTA SHAKING HANDS WITH MORIMOTO PANETTA HOLDING TALKS WITH MORIMOTO PANETTA TALKING MORE OF MEETING MORIMOTO TALKING MORE OF MEETING U.S. FLAG ON TABLE IN FRONT OF PANETTA MORIMOTO AND PANETTA WALKING ONTO STAGE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE PANETTA ON STAGE AT NEWS CONFERENCE MORIMOTO AND PANETTA ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, LEON PANETTA, SAYING: "We're concerned by the conflict that is taking place over the Senkaku Islands, and the message that I've tried to convey is a message that we have to urge calm and restraint on all sides." REPORTERS LISTENING TO NEWS CONFERENCE MORE OF MORIMOTO AND PANETTA ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, LEON PANETTA, SAYING: "It's in everybody's interest, it is in everybody's interest, for Japan and China to maintain good relations and to find a way to avoid further escalation." MORE OF MORIMOTO AND PANETTA ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, LEON PANETTA, SAYING: "This is a war. We're engaged in a war. And every day when you're engaged in a war, there are serious risks that confront those who fight the war. And we will do all we can top minimise those risks, but we will not lose sight of the fundamental mission here, which is to continue to proceed to ensure a peaceful transition to Afghan security and governance." MORE OF MORIMOTO AND PANETTA ON STAGE PANETTA AND MORIMOTO SHAKING HANDS
- Embargoed: 2nd October 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2YDRJDWX2IWMIA2LNRPUKPOZO
- Story Text: The United States urged Japan and China on Monday (September 17) to settle their increasingly angry dispute over islands claimed by both sides, saying it was in everyone's interests to have good relations between Asia's two biggest economies.
The row between Japan and China, over a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, has led to violent attacks on well-known Japanese businesses such as car-makers Toyota and Honda, forcing frightened expatriates into hiding and sending relations between the two countries into crisis.
"We're concerned by the conflict that is taking place over the Senkaku Islands, and the message that I've tried to convey is a message that we have to urge calm and restraint on all sides," said U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
The dispute over the islands - called the Senkaku by Japan and the Diaoyu by China - intensified last week when China sent six surveillance ships to the area, which contains potentially large gas reserves, in response to Japan's purchase.
Panetta said the United States would stand by its security treaty obligations to Japan, but not take sides in the row.
"It's in everybody's interest, it is in everybody's interest, for Japan and China to maintain good relations and to find a way to avoid further escalation," Panetta said.
Panetta also said that the United States would increase security for its personnel in Afghanistan after a spate of "insider" attacks where Afghans turn on their allies.
"This is a war. We're engaged in a war. And every day when you're engaged in a war, there are serious risks that confront those who fight the war. And we will do all we can to minimise those risks, but we will not lose sight of the fundamental mission here, which is to continue to proceed to ensure a peaceful transition to Afghan security and governance," he said.
At least 51 foreign military personnel have been killed in "insider" attacks this year, deaths that have badly strained the coalition's relations with Afghan forces as it moves towards handing security responsibility to them by the end of 2014.
Panetta said the U.S. would still look to continue with its handover to Afghan security forces.
The rise in such attacks has led to the suspension of training of new recruits to the Afghan army and police.
With foreign combat troops withdrawing from the increasingly unpopular and expensive war, the enormous cultural divide still separating Afghans and their allies after 11 years of conflict has become more of a concern than ever.
Panetta is also scheduled to visit China and New Zealand during his trip around Asia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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