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Communist rebels warn U.S. troops to stay away or face attacks - War games near Spratlys
AP ^
| February 11, 2004
Posted on 02/11/2004 10:06:37 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
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To: hchutch
Yep - the NPA may be in trouble. Dunno if the other major tangos in the Phillipines (Abu Sayyaf, IIRC) are in the area, but this exercise could be a chance to get the troops in position to make those terrorists good terrorists.If you announce to the tiger that you're going to kick him in the a$$, you may be dealing with the teeth sooner than you planned.
21
posted on
02/11/2004 10:28:57 AM PST
by
Poohbah
("Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons?" -- Maj. Vic Deakins, USAF)
To: GrandEagle
It's a specific group of Filipinos saying this, not all. One of our biggest mistake was not putting Clark AFB back on their map... You kill an American, we bomb you until the mountains are nothings but grains of sand. When in doubt, call in the F-16's
22
posted on
02/11/2004 10:29:31 AM PST
by
Jammz
("The only thing needed for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing.")
To: GrandEagle
And to think your boys could have missed the opportunity ! Have you got any info about the US assets deployed during the exercise ?
To: Rebelbase
The ChiComs set up shop in the Spratley's a few years ago. They wanted people to believe the "fishing village" story but they were moving in other things. The Philippines ought to worry. Remember, there is no such thing as the Domino Theory.
To: Rebelbase
Tension might arise should the neighboring states of China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, which all claim Spratlys to be part of their territories, raise an issue over the conduct of military training exercises on the chain of islands in the South China Sea, which are believed to sit on vast mineral resources. In November 2003, the Philippine government posed to raise a diplomatic protest with China over the sighting of their research vessels and warships in the area. It was, however, not pursued after a negotiation with the Chinese officials.
The Spratlys issue is considered a potential flashpoint in the region. Vietnam and China have clashed twice over the Spratlys, in 1988 and 1992, and since the 1990s, the Philippines has been concerned over a Chinese installation on the Spratlys atoll of Mischief Reef.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, signed an accord with China last year calling on all the claimants to the Spratlys to avoid actions which may heighten tensions there.
The Spratlys consist of several hundred islands, reefs and sea mountains, with a total land area of less than five square kilometers and scattered across approximately 800,000 square kilometers of the South China Sea.
China and Taiwan claim the entire chain. China occupies or has placed markers on seven to 10 reefs in the Spratlys, while Taiwan occupies one of the largest islands, known as Taipung or "Itu Abu".
Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines claim only some parts, based on proximity to their shores. All the claimants, except Brunei, have stationed troops in the area. Japan, which controlled the islands for most of the first half of the century, formally renounced sovereignty claims in 1951. - SOURCE
To: Poohbah
Yep.
There may be a bunch of good terrorists when this exercise is done.
26
posted on
02/11/2004 10:35:19 AM PST
by
hchutch
("I never get involved with my own life. It's too much trouble." - Michael Garibaldi)
To: Jammz
It's a specific group of Filipinos saying this, not all.
I understand. But, as you pointed out, the vast majority wanted Clark to go.
I suppose it could be true that just because you don't want our military presence in your country, you could still want friendly relations.
It just bothered me a great deal that after so many American's lost their lives to preserve the Philippines, they would throw us out of such a strategic place.
I thought the line about them "being ready" was humorous!
Seems like that's what the Talaban thought too!
To: oldironsides
"The ChiComs set up shop in the Spratley's a few years ago. They wanted people to believe the "fishing village" story "
Thanks, that cleared the cobwebs. I now recall that happening.
28
posted on
02/11/2004 10:37:44 AM PST
by
Rebelbase
(The Gravy Train makes unscheduled stops.)
To: Atlantic Friend
U.S. Assets..
No, no idea. I'm pretty sure that they can take care of themselves though.
To: GrandEagle
Oh, most certainly. I was trying to assess if these rebels were jolly brave, totally crazy, or jolly downright suicidal. If they only have fought Filipino soldiers until now, the change of tempo will be a sharp shock to them !
To: Tailgunner Joe
One day China will declare the South China Sea as their own personal lake and the fight will be on.
31
posted on
02/11/2004 10:43:17 AM PST
by
cynicom
To: Atlantic Friend
a sharp shock to them !
LOL!
Much like the feeling a bug gets just before it hits the windshield!
To: Semper Paratus
"The war game may be planned to go real"
Think this through a bit. This is an annual exercise, not something new and unexpected. The mutual threat to the US and the Philippines is not the communists, it is the muslims.
This is an election year, why would Bush do anything to instigate another conflict given the heat he's taking on Iraq? A military adventure in the Philippines would guarantee a dem in the WH come January.
If this were to go as you seem to hope it will where will the multiple Army divisions needed to fight in the Philippines come from? Which of the three MEFS gets pulled from current duties? Which carrier groups get pulled off station in support?
This is nothing more than the US maintaining a visible commitment to the region and some cage shaking by the commies.
33
posted on
02/11/2004 11:05:10 AM PST
by
wtc911
(Who are you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?)
To: cynicom
Try the entire Pacific Ocean.
To: GrandEagle
Not quite all, I'm half filipino but 110% American. I'm also ADAF. There are many filipinos who want clark back.
35
posted on
02/11/2004 12:13:09 PM PST
by
Jammz
("The only thing needed for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing.")
To: Eric in the Ozarks
First things first. In all warfare, there is a need to protect your rear. China wants to anchor its rear from Taiwan south to the Philippines,Indonesia, Malyasia and thence northward, their lake.
36
posted on
02/11/2004 12:22:58 PM PST
by
cynicom
To: GrandEagle
They're commies, so of course they're perfectly willing to be the doormat of, say, China, NKorea, or Cuba.
To: Semper Paratus
U.S. Commander: 'Ok, now where are you going to be, so we can stay away from there?'
Islamofascist commander: 'Well, we'll be here, here, and here'.
U.S. Commander: 'Ok fine' (into headset): 'warning red, weapons free on here here, and here'
(sounds of explosions)
fade to black for those bastards
38
posted on
02/11/2004 1:47:55 PM PST
by
notdownwidems
(Shellback, pollywogs! 1980)
To: Jammz
And there are many Thais who want not only the bases back in Esarn, but, perhaps, also some "deterent forces" to counter the Yunnan, ChiCOM nukes - said forces to be placed up somewhere near Chiang Mai!
39
posted on
02/11/2004 6:18:54 PM PST
by
GOP_1900AD
(Un-PC even to "Conservatives!" - Right makes right)
To: GrandEagle
Yes, there are a few "splat" and "ouch" coming their way. Since these are Muslim rebels, I guess that'll be the most moving spiritual experience of what's left of their lives.
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