PRESS RELEASE
Ash Carter Calls for New NATO in the Asia-Pacific
June 4, 2016 (EIRNS)—Speaking today at the Shangri-La Dialogue (15th Asia Security Summit), U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter called for the creation of a U.S.-led security architecture in Asia. While lamenting the fact that there has never been a NATO in Asia, he then went on to explain his intent in building the various U.S. alliances into such a structure, of course, aimed at no one in particular! He also said that China could be a part of this new and glorious pact if they don’t isolate themselves by building a "Great Wall" with their territorial claims. By making so blatant the goal of the re-set policy, he no doubt wants to undercut China’s proposal, to be presented tomorrow, of a “community of common destiny” in the Asia-Pacific.
Carter also reiterated the ridiculous U.S. claims that the U.S. security alliances provided the “oxygen” for the Asia-Pacific to grow, this at a time when the U.S. economy is virtually on life-support. He went so far as to issue a not-so-veiled threat if China refuses to back down from its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Any action by China to reclaim land in the Scarborough Shoal, an outcrop in the disputed sea, would have consequences, Carter said.
"I hope that this development doesn’t occur, because it will result in actions being taken by the both United States and ... by others in the region which would have the effect of not only increasing tensions but isolating China,"
Carter said. He no doubt sees himself as the Roman consul creating his creating his praetorian guard in order to defend the “limes” (border dedense) against the “barbarians.” While not fingering China as the target, he did indicate that this “alliance” would be directed, among other things, against possible “Russian aggression.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, the Chinese greeted Carter’s proposal with skepticism, reports Xinhua. Rear Adm. Guan Youfei, director of the foreign affairs office of China’s National Defense Ministry, said Beijing welcomes the U.S. establishing close relations with Asian countries. But he urged Washington to scale back its military exercises in the region and to reduce "provocations" such as operating military aircraft and ships in close proximity to other countries. "I believe this will help the U.S. play a better role in the region," he said.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, or Asia Security Summit, is sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), itself founded in Britain in 1958.
