US distances itself from Sabah crisis

The United States (US) on Thursday distanced itself from the Sabah crisis and is optimistic that the issue would be resolved by the Philippines and Malaysia.

Speaking to defense reporters, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said they do not view the Sabah issue as a security matter that could affect their country.

“This is not something we are involved in and we do seek to be involved in any way,” Thomas said.

“We would never interfere in the sovereign rights of the Philippine government or try to tell President Aquino or Prime Minister Najib (Razak) how to resolve this challenge,” he added.

Asked to react to the Sulu sultanate’s plan to seek US help by invoking the 1915 Kiram-Carpenter treaty, Thomas said: “I can’t stop them from, you know, speaking but again, as I said, this is not something we are involved in.”

“We’re not looking to respond in any manner to that invocation of the treaty,” he added.

Earlier, Sulu sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said they would remind the US of its supposed obligation to protect the sultanate under the treaty.

Idjirani claimed that under the agreement, the US had assured “full measure of protection” to the sultanate in the event that questions of Sabah arise between sultanate and any foreign authority.

The US is hopeful that the Sabah issue would be resolved peacefully.

“We pray for peace and we hope that anyone whose been displaced can be taken care of but then again, this is not a matter for United States,” Thomas said.

The US is also happy that the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has not been affected by the crisis. Malaysia facilitates the peace talks between the government and the MILF.

“We are very pleased however that that the framework agreement has not been affected and that’s why the talks will go on as scheduled and that shows that there is confidence between Manila and Kuala Lumpur,” Thomas said.

The current crisis in Sabah started after about 200 followers of the Sulu sultanate, some of them armed, went to the disputed area last month to assert their claim. Sabah is being administered by Malaysia but the Philippines has a standing claim to the area.

Violence ensued after the group led by Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, refused to leave despite warnings by the Malaysian government/ More than 60 people have died since the clashes started in March 1.