61.   The Spratlys, which straddle vital sea lanes, are claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

62.   The two countries are among six nations with conflicting claims over the Spratlys, which straddle vital sea lanes in the South China Sea.

63.   The tiny chain of islands and reefs straddle vital sea lanes in the South China Sea and are believed to be rich in oil and minerals.

64.   The uninhabited rocky islands straddle fishing grounds and sea lanes, and possibly mineral resources.

65.   The two countries are among six nations with conflicting claims over the Spratly Islands, another South China Sea territory straddling vital sea lanes.

66.   The United States officially takes no sides in the conflicting claims in the Spratlys but says preserving freedom of navigation in nearby sea lanes is a fundamental U.S. interest.

67.   There is now the worry that if the crisis in Indonesia should degenerate into civil war, the sea lanes to transport grain to our country may become impaired.

68.   There it will wait for the pack ice to retreat, opening the sea lane to Greenland.

69.   They straddle strategic sea lanes and are thought to lie atop rich mineral and oil deposits.

70.   Their speedboats quickly slither in and out of the sea lanes under cover of darkness to plunder and then run for cover.