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           Hagel: US Not Interested in Permanent Bases in Philippines

   U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says progress is being made in talks
   aimed at expanding the U.S. military presence in the Philippines, but
   reiterates Washington has no interest in permanent bases there.
   The Pentagon chief made his comments Friday after meeting with
   Philippines President Benigno Aquino in Manila, where he is wrapping up
   a week-long visit to Asia.
   "The United States does not seek permanent bases in the Philippines.
   That would represent a return to an outdated Cold War mentality.
   Instead, we are using a new model of military-to-military cooperation
   befitting two great allies and friends."
   Hagel said both sides are working hard to finish an agreement that
   would allow more U.S. troops, ships and aircraft to pass through the
   strategically located archipelago nation that until two decades ago
   hosted permanent U.S. bases.
   The U.S. defense chief also said he and Mr. Aquino discussed the
   situation in the South China Sea, where the Philippines is locked in a
   tense territorial dispute with China.
   On Thursday, Hagel said he is concerned that actions at sea to "advance
   territorial claims" are increasing the risk of confrontation. His
   comments came in a speech in Brunei at a gathering of defense ministers
   from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
   Several ASEAN members have overlapping claims with China and have
   accused Beijing of using increasingly aggressive tactics in defending
   its claims to the energy-rich area.
   China has been reluctant to negotiate the maritime disputes with
   multilateral bodies such as ASEAN. It instead prefers to deal with each
   rival claimant separately, a position that gives it a much greater
   advantage.
   The U.S. has said it does not take sides in the disputes, but has
   strengthened military cooperation with several nations there, most
   notably Vietnam and the Philippines.
   Tensions over the territorial disputes on Thursday forced Philippines
   President Aquino to cancel an upcoming visit to China, after Manila
   said he was asked by Beijing to visit "at a more conducive time."
   Small scale clashes and standoffs between government and fishing
   vessels of both China and the Philippines occasionally break out in the
   South China Sea, raising fears of a wider conflict.
   Beijing was also angered last year after Manila decided to take the
   dispute to the United Nations International Tribunal on the Law of the
   Sea.
   Hagel on Friday said he encourages nations to "peacefully resolve their
   disputes through internationally accepted mechanisms and in accordance
   with international law, including the law of the sea and without
   coercion or militarized attempts to alter the status quo."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/hagel-us-not-interested-in-permanent-
   bases-in-philippines/1740050.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/hagel-us-not-interested-in-permanent-bases-in-philippines/1740050.html