Obama seeks peaceful settlement of South China Sea disputes

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Source: Asia Times/agencies (it says)

US President Barack Obama called on Tuesday for territorial disputes in the South China Sea to be “resolved peacefully” as Vietnam baulks at Chinese actions in the bitterly contested waters.

“Big nations should not bully smaller ones, disputes should be resolved peacefully,” he told an audience in Hanoi, referring to the disputed maritime region.

His remarks won loud applause from more than 2,000 delegates including top Vietnamese leaders.

Washington and Hanoi have been drawn closer together through their mutual concern at Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the sea.

Read more: http://atimes.com/2016/05/obama-seeks-peaceful-settlement-of-s-china-sea-disputes/

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1. Barack Obama urges improved human rights in Vietnam in wake of US arms deal

US President Barack Obama has called on Vietnam to allow greater freedoms for its citizens.

Mr Obama argued that better human rights would improve the communist country's economy, stability and regional power.

On his second full day in the south-east Asian nation, Mr Obama also met with activists and entrepreneurs as part of a push for closer ties with the fast-growing, strategically crucial country. The visit included the lifting of a half-century-old arms sale embargo.

In a speech at the National Convention Centre, Mr Obama sought to balance the need for a stronger relationship with Vietnam with efforts to hold its leadership to account over what activists call an abysmal treatment of government critics.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/barack-obama-urges-improved-human-rights-in-vietnam-in-wake-of-us-arms-deal-34742351.html

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2. Obama backs Vietnam over China on Asia visit

Obama vows US support to Vietnam

Barack Obama has backed Vietnam in its dispute with China over territorial claims and navigation rights in the South China Sea. Though Obama, who is wrapping up his visit to Vietnam, did not name China directly, he said “big nations should not bully smaller ones”. Obama’s comments came a day after the US lifted a decades-old arms embargo on Vietnam, a move widely interpreted as a rebuke to China which has been constructing military installations, including runways and missile launchers, on reclaimed islands. Obama promised his hosts “greater access to the equipment you need to improve your security”.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/24/barack-obama-vietnam-visit-south-china-sea-dispute

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3. Vietnam, the US and the Centrality of Geopolitics

May 24, 2016 Based on ideology, Washington should not sell weapons to Hanoi, but it is.

U.S. President Barack Obama in Hanoi yesterday announced an end to the decades-long arms embargo on Vietnam. Vietnam may purchase weapons from the United States under the same terms as other nations. This would not be major news except for the fact that the United States fought and lost a seven-year war with Vietnam.

One would think that history and ideology would make arms trade impossible. But when we look at the post-war history of the region, the unimportance of ideology in the decisions that nations make is actually startling.

The reason for this decision is China. In my view, the Chinese do not yet pose a significant military threat globally or in the region. At the same time, their intent is to increase their capabilities and the United States must plan accordingly.

https://geopoliticalfutures.com/vietnam-the-us-and-the-centrality-of-geopolitics/

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4. "I like daughters," quipped Obama,

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5 p.m.

President Barack Obama had a quick comeback for a Buddhist monk who urged him to pray to a certain statue if he'd like to have a son.

"I like daughters," quipped Obama, who is the father of teenagers Malia and Sasha.

Obama was touring the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the most notable and most visited cultural destinations in Ho Chi Minh City.

The pink-colored building with a turquoise tiled roof was built in the early 1900s by the immigrant Chinese community and today serves multiple faiths.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_THE_LATEST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-05-24-06-54-18

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5. . nt

[The Green Manalishi]

6. But think of the poor Military Industrial Complex? What about the billionaires

and arms traffickers? All those 'contractors' and all that money that won't be made by Halliburton etc?

Geeze, no wonder they call him a commie Muslim traitor! GWB would have had us in for a half a trillion and a few thousand dead by this time- now *THAT* is a Real American President /S

[Igel]

7. "Peaceful solution"

Not a meaningful utterance.

He wanted a peaceful solution in the Donbas, and said it wouldn't lead to a frozen conflict.

But if there's no military solution on the part of one side, then the easiest solution for the opposing side is a military solution. Take what you want and then say, "Let's talk." So the result was a military solution for Russia's allies in the Donbas, and a frozen conflict.

Same in Georgia. Twice.

Same in Syria.

Given that China has moved into the disputed waters militarily, they've done their part of the military solution. All that remains is for jaw-jaw in avoidance of war-war to yield stall-stall. China, like Russia, knows what happens when one side lacks resolve and fortitude. You get things like Tibet. Not only do you get them, you get to keep them, and any downside is temporary and pretty much forgettable.

[The Green Manalishi]

8. True.

Worked great for us with Mexico, Spain, the various First Nations, Panama, the Philippines, etc ad infinitum, ad nauseum...