Tokyo, April 24, (Antara Babel) - US President Barack Obama Thursday told a press conference in Japan that islands at the centre of a bitter territorial dispute with China are covered by a defence treaty that would oblige Washington to act if they were attacked.
"Article five (of the US-Japan security treaty) covers all territories under Japan's administration including (the) Senkaku islands," he said.
"We do not believe that they should be subject to change unilaterally, and what is a consistent part of the alliance is that the treaty covers all territories administered by Japan.
"This is not a new position. This is a consistent one."
"We stand together in calling for disputes in the region, including maritime issues, to be resolved peacefully through dialogue."
Obama said during the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the two men agreed to continue deepening security cooperation, and to working through the thorny problem of the huge US military presence in Okinawa, which is resented by many locals.
And he said the high seas had to remain open to shipping.
"We share commitment to fundamental principles such as freedom of
navigation and respect for international law."
