U.S. stays neutral on territorial row between Japan, S Korea

Tuesday 29th July, 07:52 AM JST

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CaptDingleheimer at 11:50 PM JST - 29th July

I think America should drop a few bunker busters on those rocks and blow them to smithereens, leaving the nationalist idiots from both countries bobbing around out there in their rowboats with their flags and their slogans and their wieners in their hands.
usaexpat at 11:52 PM JST - 29th July

Good for the US someone is actually thinking. Stay neutral because it's for the ICJ to settle and the US would gain nothing by angering either party. South Korea and Japan are both allies and trading partners so why pick a fight.
JohnBecker at 12:45 AM JST - 30th July

@some14some: I take exception to your remark. The U.S. knows well enough that the best thing it can do is take no sides when two friends are having a dispute. It's not a matter of what's to gain or lose.
Surge at 12:49 AM JST - 30th July

Bush has better things to do than concrn himself with a few rocks.

He has our growing economy to look after, and keep in good shape for when McCain is in charge.
OssanULTRA at 03:48 AM JST - 30th July

"He has our growing economy to look after"

To what country are you refering?
OssanULTRA at 03:51 AM JST - 30th July

We supported Japan's position until and we got our bases in SKorea. Till then even these silly rocks were our frontine against a potentially all-communist Korean penninsula. They no longer have any value to the U.S.
tclh at 05:12 AM JST - 30th July

Neutral means those rocks now should be considered or used as a fence between two neighbours.You own half and other half is mine,everything else is the same from cost of defense to fishing right,gas oil....In fact Japan and Korea can make this becomes an example to all that islands actually can be shared.Deal,give and take...come on ,Japan and Korea can do this.
TonyUS at 08:56 AM JST - 30th July

It isw a shame all territorial borders were not established back when the war was over and land given back to the rightful owners, That I see as the fault of the US and I mean all the land disputes in that region today, look at China's claims to Taiwan and islands claimed by Japan, China, Taiwan, S. Korea and the rest.. This should have been settled long long time ago.

Now it is the need for energy bringing all to a head .
Zen_Builder at 08:59 AM JST - 30th July

I agree, there are even some regions in europe that are still "disputed", where populations are not happy with decisions that were made by the higher powers.
Surge at 09:02 AM JST - 30th July

Why should the US not be neutral. The message to Japan and S Korea is "sort it out yourselves". Are the governments of each country mature enough to do it though?

Japan and S Korea do not have any great statesmen like Bush, so itprobably aint gonna be solved soon.
taikan at 11:34 AM JST - 30th July

When the Peace Treaty with Japan was being negotiated, this issue was addressed and the US refused to support South Korea's position, and instead concluded that the islets in question belonged to Japan. Therefore, "remaining neutral" about the dispute at this time actually represents a change in the US' position. It would be interesting to know why the current administration decided to change the position of the US in this manner.
OssanULTRA at 12:23 PM JST - 30th July

"Therefore, "remaining neutral" about the dispute at this time actually represents a change in the US' position."

Yes that changed after the Korean War ended (the fighting anyway) and we had our bases in SKorea.
FairandBalanced at 12:29 PM JST - 30th July

Hey Japan grow up. You damaged and used S Korea for decades, give the guys a break. Try to realise why they dont negotiate with or trust you, its not rocket science.
Hughgarse at 01:22 PM JST - 30th July

of course they are neutral.. nothing to do with them.. big deal.
sun825 at 06:21 PM JST - 11th August

fairandbalanced - good point. And yet Japan still says 'Koreans don't want to go to ICJ because they have no evidence'.

Yeaaah. It has nothing to do with the past. Nope, nada.