Internet to play role in islands spat (Sat 29 May, 2004 )

Sat 29 May, 2004 11:51

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam plans to provide Internet access to its soldiers on the Spratly Islands by the end of this year.

Most of the Spratly Islands -- a cluster of rocks and reefs in the South China Sea believed to be rich in oil and natural gas -- are claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

State-run Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, the country's top telecoms firm, would use a satellite link to provide the service, the Vietnam News daily said on Saturday.

Vietnam maintains a military and civilian presence on the Spratlys and has been building a small airport there.

The Philippines, China and Taiwan protested last month when Hanoi sent its first group of local tourists to the Spratlys.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=5292889&section=news