US aircraft carrier's CO hopes PH-China maritime row resolved soon

Posted to InterAksyon (Oct 25): US aircraft carrier's CO hopes PH-China maritime row resolved soon

The commanding officer of the USS George Washington, the United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Manila for a visit, expressed hope Thursday that the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines will be worked out through diplomatic channels. Capt. Gregory Fenton said that they tried to avoid passing through disputed areas when they went to the Philippines for a five-day goodwill visit.  Fenton was earlier asked if they saw Chinese ships when they passed by Scarborough Shoal. "What I cannot comment on is the specifics of our navigation and operations. We are very sensitive to the areas that are under dispute, if you will. And we do make a very conscious effort to stay away from those areas. I believe that we are firmly committed to helping support the nations that are involved in those disputes. But ideally, we'd like to see them sort out those disputes via diplomatic channels. So, we do make an effort to avoid those areas," Fenton said. As always, the US Navy brushed aside speculations that their visit in Manila was connected to the territorial dispute with China.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46491/us-aircraft-carriers-co-hopes--ph-china-maritime-row-resolved-soon