ASEAN upset by test ban treaty failure

ASEAN upset by test ban treaty failure

MANILA (AFP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is disappointed by the United States Senate's rejection of a landmark nuclear test ban treaty, ASEAN secretary-general Rodolfo Severino said on Friday.

"Obviously, it's very unfortunate. ASEAN has been repeatedly opposing nuclear tests of any kind," he told foreign correspondents here.

He said the Senate's rejection of the accord was a "cause for great disappointment and concern".

The U.S. Senate earlier this month voted overwhelmingly against ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, sparking worldwide condemnation.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.