Editorials
Monday, May 20, 1996

Why U.S. military still
needed in East Asia

ANYONE who thinks the U.S. military is no longer needed in East Asia ought to ponder a few recent developments: Seven North Korean soldiers entered the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone and stayed for nearly an hour. They left after South Korean troops fired warning shots. Last month, North Korea sent between 120 and 180 soldiers to Panmunjom, the crossing point in the DMZ, after announcing that Pyongyang would no longer respect the armistice agreement ending the Korean War.

The Communist government of Kim Jong-il has called the armistice agreement "a worthless piece of paper." If these provocations continue, South Korea may feel compelled to respond.

North Korea seems to be trying to pressure the United States into signing a bilateral peace agreement, excluding South Korea. That would be in line with the North's longtime goal of isolating Seoul. Washington must continue to resist such efforts and make it clear that it will stand by its South Korean ally. Any move to reduce the U.S. military presence in East Asia - and that most certainly includes Okinawa - would be interpreted as backing down.

China meanwhile announced that it is expanding its claimed territorial waters in the South China Sea by more than 965,000 square miles. This includes the Spratly Islands, claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei in addition to China, and some of the Paracels, claimed by Vietnam.

The Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all issued statements deploring the Chinese claim. In Manila, the Foreign Ministry said the action "in a disputed part of the South China Sea disturbs the stability of the area, sets back the spirit of cooperation that has been slowly developing . . . and does not help in the resolution of the disputes there."

The claim follows Beijing's recent attempt to intimidate voters by firing missiles near Taiwan before the presidential election. It is another example of China's increasing assertiveness in dealing with its smaller and weaker neighbors. Without a significant U.S. military presence in the region, the Chinese might be even bolder.

Adding to the tension, Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui said he wanted to visit the United States again. And another high official said Taiwan would continue to press for readmittance to the United Nations. Both statements are certain to irritate Beijing. Lee's visit to the U.S. last year infuriated the Chinese Communists. And they have stated that abandonment of Taiwan's campaign for U.N. membership is a condition for resuming negotiations.

With Japan unwilling to assume a military role in the region beyond its own territory, no power other than the United States can exert a restraining influence on Beijing. In view of these and other developments, such a restraining influence is clearly needed to maintain stability.


Other editorials in brief:

Saving fish stocks

AFTER the federal government threatened last year to close the Hawaiian Islands fishery to protect the dwindling numbers of bottomfish, the state promised to develop a management plan that would keep the fishery open while protecting endangered species. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources formed an advisory panel of commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and government officials that met with the fishing community 13 times to develop a management plan. Whatever provisions are eventually approved, it is evident that something has to be done to prevent irreversible damage to stocks of bottomfish in Hawaiian waters. It is in the interest of everyone that an effective plan is approved and implemented.


Historic trail

JOHN Lewis, a civil rights activist, took part in the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. The march was held to protest systematic efforts in the South to deprive African Americans of their right to vote. Lewis was one of many marchers who were badly beaten by state troopers and a sheriff's posse, and had to be rushed to emergency care. Last week the House of Representatives gave final passage to a bill designating the route of that march as a national historic trail. One of the votes in favor was cast by John Lewis, now a Democratic congressman from Georgia. This trail marks America's route to greater freedom for African Americans. Its martyrs richly deserve this honor.



Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership

Rupert E. Phillips, CEO

John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher

David Shapiro, Managing Editor

Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor

Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors

A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor



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