Ben Cardin actually said...

"The importance of our special relationship with Palau is most clearly manifested in the U.S. defense posture in the Asia-Pacific region."

"We want the countries to resolve them peacefully through direct negotiations."

"We want respect for human rights because that is not only our values, but it is also important for a stable country."

"We have a direct economic interest in the peaceful resolutions of the maritime disputes."