ASEAN wants to monitor nuclear weapons

VIETNAM: ASEAN wants to develop the capability to detect atomic weapons so it can effectively implement a treaty aiming to keep the region free of nuclear arms, a diplomat said Monday.

The diplomat said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is also striving to deal with potential nuclear disasters, as some members consider the use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes.

“We would like to have the capacity to monitor the presence of nuclear weapons in our territories,” including on warships transiting the region’s waters, the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The region does not currently have the right training or equipment to verify whether nuclear weapons are in its ports or passing through its waters, he added. The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone treaty commits ASEAN states “not to develop, manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over atomic weapons”.

It also prohibits the storage or transit of nuclear weapons in ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The treaty prevents the testing of any nuclear device and dumping of radioactive waste in the region, including in members’ territorial waters.

“Even if you are a declared nuclear weapons free zone, if you don’t have the capability to implement it, then there’s no use,” said the diplomat, a member of the commission that ensures compliance with the treaty.

Hanoi, Tuesday, AFP