Leon Panetta actually said...
the United States should use its position in several regional organizations, including the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, to facilitate initiatives and confidence-building measures that will help claimant states reach an agreement on a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Context
Panetta emphasizes U.S. involvement in regional organizations to promote peace in the South China Sea.
03/06/2012