Admiral Keating in China to Propose an "Open and Candid" Relation

May 11 (EIRNS)--U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Timothy Keating arrived in Beijing Thursday night. On his way to China, Keating told Voice of America (VOA) he wants an "open and candid" relationship with China, designed to avoid potentially dangerous miscalculations, referring to the view that U.S. military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan have weakened U.S. forces in other parts of the world.

"We are committed, to a degree, in Iraq and Afghanistan," Admiral Keating said. "That is imposing some stress on the force, to be sure. But we retain significant capability in the Pacific and all throughout the other geographic combatant commands. And, I suppose that's a worthwhile message. Don't for a second assume that our focus is entirely on a certain part of the world."

"We're going to be open and candid and forthright. [I] expect the same from them," he said.  "And it is in the hope of that sort of discussion that we're going. And I'm confident that we're going to enjoy that sort of candid, open discussion."

As part of his five day trip, Admiral Keating will visit China's eastern regional command in Nanjing, which Voice of America noted has responsibility for the part of China directly across the narrow straits from Taiwan.