US refuses to condemn shooting of fisherman

[Krueger]

US voices 'regret' at death of Taiwanese fisherman

The United States Monday voiced regret over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman killed when the Philippine coast guard fired on his vessel, but stopped short of condemning the incident.

WASHINGTON: The United States Monday voiced regret over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman killed when the Philippine coast guard fired on his vessel, but stopped short of condemning the incident.

"We regret the tragic death of a Taiwan fishing boat master during a May 9 confrontation at sea with a Philippine patrol vessel," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

"The United States has been in touch with both the Philippine government and the Taiwan authorities regarding this incident. And we welcome the Philippine government's pledge to conduct a full and transparent investigation."

Pressed by reporters to take a stronger stand, Psaki said merely that Washington continued to urge all sides "to refrain from provocative actions."

"There will be an investigation into this case, and we'll follow that closely," she added.

Angry Taiwanese fishermen Monday burned Filipino flags, as Philippine President Benigno Aquino urged calm amid tensions over last week's incident.

The Philippine coast guard admitted on Friday to firing at one of four Taiwanese fishing vessels that it said had strayed into the country's waters.

Taiwanese authorities said more than 50 bullets hit the 15-tonne vessel, and fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was killed.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions around the region over rival claims to the nearby South China Sea.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims to parts of the sea.

- AFP

 

[Bob Ong]

Taiwanese are very persistent in pushing their agenda and their reporter got palmed on her face

Great job Sec Kerry and Jen Psaki!

 

[Bob Ong]

(Stupidong Taiwan) is trying to cone us the same way they did to Japan. They want the US to take their side and put pressure on the Philippines to follow their demands.

 

[Bob Ong]

US again declines to condemn Manila over shooting

By William Lowther / Staff reporter in WASHINGTON

Despite strong pressure and repeated efforts, the US has again declined to issue an outright condemnation of the Philippines for shooting a Taiwanese fisherman.

However, US Department of State spokesperson Jennifer Psaki has confirmed that Washington is now trying to play a role in calming the growing crisis.

“We regret the tragic death of a Taiwan fishing boat master during the May 9 confrontation at sea with a Philippine patrol vessel,” Psaki said on Monday.

“The United States has been in touch with both the Philippine government and the Taiwan authorities regarding the incident,” she said.

Psaki said that the US welcomed the Philippine government’s pledge to conduct a “full and transparent” investigation.
While the State Department has refused to give details, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Taipei Times that US diplomats are currently talking to both sides and strongly urging caution.

Asked if the US was worried about a possible escalation, Psaki said: “We continue to urge all parties, in any scenario, to ensure maritime safety and to refrain from provocative actions.”

“The Philippine government is going to be conducting an investigation and they will be working with the Taiwan authorities to establish what happened in this case,” she said.

Pressed to condemn the Philippine authorities for firing on the Taiwanese boat, Psaki appeared to equivocate.

She was asked to explain what actions Taiwan had taken that the US was concerned about when only one side — the Philippines — had actually done any shooting.

“When you’re warning both sides, you’re giving an equivalency. What is the Taiwanese action that you’re concerned about?” Psaki was asked.

“The Philippine government is looking into this case — I don’t want to get ahead of their process of investigating what happened,” she said.

At a regular daily press briefing, Psaki was again pressured to be more specific.

“The Taiwanese fisherman was unarmed. It’s a fishing boat — small compared to the government vessel that the Filipinos had. When you say confrontation, only one side was shooting the other, using a machine gun. Fifty-nine bullet holes were found in that small boat. I want you to comment on the fact that someone opened fire in the South China Sea,” a reporter said.

Psaki said that she was just making a broad point that both sides should refrain from provocative actions.

“I’m not going to speculate on this specific case,” she said.

Asked where, in the US’ view, the shooting took place, Psaki said: “The precise location of the incident is not yet clear, although it appears the incident took place in or near disputed waters, where both claim fishing rights.”

Psaki said that the US regretted the “tragic death” and encouraged “peaceful negotiation and peaceful resolution.”

“When you see people doing things that run directly counter to behavior that would lead to stability, are you going to stand up and point that out, and hold these governments to account? You’re holding the victimizer and the victim to equal account, so it doesn’t seem to match,” the reporter said.

Psaki replied: “There will be an investigation run by the Philippine government into what happened here. I don’t think that is holding both sides to the same account.”

In a final effort the reporter asked: “Would you condemn the killing of an innocent fisherman, unarmed, in this incident? Or would you condone that?”

US again declines to condemn Manila over shooting - Taipei Times

 

[USAHawk785]

Of course. As if we're going to pick against the Philippines. The Philippines was a former colony and will forever be a special ally of the United States.

Taiwanese are very persistent in pushing their agenda and their reporter got palmed on her face

Great job Sec Kerry and Jen Psaki!

....love it!

 

[Beast]

US again declines to condemn Manila over shooting

By William Lowther / Staff reporter in WASHINGTON

Despite strong pressure and repeated efforts, the US has again declined to issue an outright condemnation of the Philippines for shooting a Taiwanese fisherman.

However, US Department of State spokesperson Jennifer Psaki has confirmed that Washington is now trying to play a role in calming the growing crisis.

“We regret the tragic death of a Taiwan fishing boat master during the May 9 confrontation at sea with a Philippine patrol vessel,” Psaki said on Monday.

“The United States has been in touch with both the Philippine government and the Taiwan authorities regarding the incident,” she said.

Psaki said that the US welcomed the Philippine government’s pledge to conduct a “full and transparent” investigation.
While the State Department has refused to give details, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Taipei Times that US diplomats are currently talking to both sides and strongly urging caution.

Asked if the US was worried about a possible escalation, Psaki said: “We continue to urge all parties, in any scenario, to ensure maritime safety and to refrain from provocative actions.”

“The Philippine government is going to be conducting an investigation and they will be working with the Taiwan authorities to establish what happened in this case,” she said.

Pressed to condemn the Philippine authorities for firing on the Taiwanese boat, Psaki appeared to equivocate.

She was asked to explain what actions Taiwan had taken that the US was concerned about when only one side — the Philippines — had actually done any shooting.

“When you’re warning both sides, you’re giving an equivalency. What is the Taiwanese action that you’re concerned about?” Psaki was asked.

“The Philippine government is looking into this case — I don’t want to get ahead of their process of investigating what happened,” she said.

At a regular daily press briefing, Psaki was again pressured to be more specific.

“The Taiwanese fisherman was unarmed. It’s a fishing boat — small compared to the government vessel that the Filipinos had. When you say confrontation, only one side was shooting the other, using a machine gun. Fifty-nine bullet holes were found in that small boat. I want you to comment on the fact that someone opened fire in the South China Sea,” a reporter said.

Psaki said that she was just making a broad point that both sides should refrain from provocative actions.

“I’m not going to speculate on this specific case,” she said.

Asked where, in the US’ view, the shooting took place, Psaki said: “The precise location of the incident is not yet clear, although it appears the incident took place in or near disputed waters, where both claim fishing rights.”

Psaki said that the US regretted the “tragic death” and encouraged “peaceful negotiation and peaceful resolution.”

“When you see people doing things that run directly counter to behavior that would lead to stability, are you going to stand up and point that out, and hold these governments to account? You’re holding the victimizer and the victim to equal account, so it doesn’t seem to match,” the reporter said.

Psaki replied: “There will be an investigation run by the Philippine government into what happened here. I don’t think that is holding both sides to the same account.”

In a final effort the reporter asked: “Would you condemn the killing of an innocent fisherman, unarmed, in this incident? Or would you condone that?”

US again declines to condemn Manila over shooting - Taipei Times

Why do you post an outdated report before the admit of Pinoy wrong doing now? You get slapped once and you want twice? Havent you embarrass yourself and all the pinoy enough?

 

[Yukio]

Taiwanese are very persistent in pushing their agenda and their reporter got palmed on her face

Great job Sec Kerry and Jen Psaki!

OMG for sure the reporter got offended

 

[Bob Ong]

Why do you post an outdated report before the admit of Pinoy wrong doing now? You get slapped once and you want twice? Havent you embarrass yourself and all the pinoy enough?

OMG for sure the reporter got offended

She deserved it.

 

[Beast]

She deserved it.

So that will make US more of a idiot. Even Pinoy already apologise and admit its their mistake to shoot so that will make US is a reckless law enforcer which don't exercise using brain when carrying out work.

 

[USAHawk785]

The Philippines will always occupy a special place in the American Heart. Our very special ...Philippines.

 

[Pinoy]

Why do you post an outdated report before the admit of Pinoy wrong doing now? You get slapped once and you want twice? Havent you embarrass yourself and all the pinoy enough?

Taiwan is pressuring the US to take their side but got slapped twice. Need we say more?

 

[Zero_wing]

Haha buti nga mga gago in your faces blanks hahahaha ops bawal ng asar talo hahahahaha jerks !

 

[Pinoy]

Fresh News!

US urges Taiwan, Philippines to cool tensions
Agence France-Presse
Thursday, May 16th, 2013

WASHINGTON—The United States on Wednesday urged Taiwan and the Philippines to resolve a dispute after the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, amid concern over rising tensions between its two allies.

Taiwan has slapped sanctions on the Philippines, including a ban on the hiring of new workers, and rejected an apology by President Benigno Aquino after Philippine coast guards shot dead the 65-year-old fisherman last week.

“We’re concerned by the increase in tensions between two neighboring democracies and close partners of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region,” State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.

“We urge the Philippines and Taiwan to take all appropriate measures to clarify disagreements and prevent recurrence of such tragic events,” he added.

Washington also urged both sides “to ensure maritime safety and to refrain from actions that could further escalate tensions.”

Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou has insisted on a formal apology from Manila as well as compensation, demanded that the killer to be caught and called for talks on the fishing industry.

Maritime tensions are already high over rival claims in the South China Sea, adjacent to where last Thursday’s shooting took place.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims to parts of the strategic and resource-rich maritime region.

Ventrell said “it appears the incident took place in or near disputed waters, where the Philippines and Taiwan both claim fishing rights.”

“The United States does not take a position on the proper location of a maritime boundary in that area,” he stressed.

 

[Leonhart]

OMG for sure the reporter got offended

The video cut short. She answered the question right after.

Taiwan is pressuring the US to take their side but got slapped twice. Need we say more?

Hmm...last I recall, Taiwan was in USA's Visa Waiver Program and Philippines was not LMAO

 

[p3avi8tor69]

The video cut short. She answered the question right after.



Hmm...last I recall, Taiwan was in USA's Visa Waiver Program and Philippines was not LMAO

Well if the Philippines was in our Visa Waiver Program, the entire Philippines would be deserted. That's why we try to keep them off as much as possible.