U.S. Senate approves amendment backing Japan

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved an amendment that reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Japan in its territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands as Washington tries to counter any attempt by Beijing to challenge Japan's administration of the archipelago.

The measure was attached Thursday to the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2013 still being debated in the Senate. Senators Jim Webb of Virginia, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and John McCain of Arizona have co-sponsored the measure.

The amendment notes that while the United States "takes no position" on the ultimate sovereignty of the territory, it "acknowledges the administration of Japan over the Senkaku Islands."

It further adds that "unilateral actions of a third party will not affect United States acknowledgement of the administration of Japan over the Senkaku Islands."

The legislation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and warns that an armed attack against either party "in the territories under the administration of Japan" would be met in accordance with its provisions.

The amendment also noted U.S. opposition to any efforts to coerce, threaten to use force, or use force to resolve territorial issues.

The Senate reiterated the U.S. national interest in freedom of navigation, peace and stability, respect for international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the region.

"This amendment is a strong statement of support for a vital ally in Pacific Asia," Senator Webb said in a statement.

It "unequivocally states that the United States acknowledges the administration of Japan over the Senkaku Islands, and that this position will not be changed through threats, coercion, or military action," added the Democratic senator.

Webb chairs the Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.

The sovereignty of the islands has been a source of friction for decades, but the row erupted earlier this year after the nationalist governor of Tokyo said he wanted to buy them for the city, forcing the Japanese government to nationalize them.

Chinese vessels have been spotted in and around the territorial waters every day for the last month.

Both sides have publicly refused to back down on their respective claims to the Japan-controlled islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

National pride as well as potential mineral reserves are at stake in the decades-old dispute, which has hit the huge trade relationship between the world's second and third largest economies. (AFP)

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영토분쟁서 日 편드는 미국?

중•일 양국이 영유권 갈등을 빚는 센카쿠(중 국명 댜오위다오) 열도에 대해 미국 상원이 미•일 안보조약의 적용 대상이라는 점을 법에 명기토록 했다고 요미우리신문 등 일본 언론이 1일 보도했다.

미 상원 본회의는 11월29일(현지시각) 연례 방위수권법안에 센카쿠 열도가 미국 의 일본 방위 의무를 정한 미•일 안보조약 제5조의 적용 대상이라고 적은 추가 조항을 포함하라고 만장일치로 의결했다.

추가 조항은 "미국은 센카쿠 열도의 궁극적인 주권에 대해서는 특정한 입장을 취하지 않는다"며 "(하지만 센카쿠 열도가) 일본의 시정(施政)하에 있다는 점을 인식하고 있다"고 적었다.

또 "제3자의 일방적인 행동이 미국의 이런 인식에 영향을 미칠 수는 없다"고 중국을 견제했다. 일본이 현실적으로 센카쿠 열도를 영유하고 있다는 점을 강조하며 중국을 견제하려는 것으로 풀이된다.

추가조항 제안자인 민주당의 제임스 웹 의원은 의결 후 "아시아•태평양 지역의 중요한 동맹국(일본)을 지지하겠다는 강한 의사 표명"이라며 "미국은 무력에 의한 위협이나 무력행사로 동중국해의 영유권 문제를 해결하려는 움직임에 반대하며 안보 조약 5조에 근거해 일본정부에 대한 약속을 재확인한다"는 내용의 성명을 발표했다.

추가조항의 제안자에는 웹 의원 외에도 공화당의 존 매케인 의원 등이 포함됐다.

이 법안은 이달 중 하원을 거쳐 오바마 대통령의 서명으로 발효된다.