SE Asia to adopt nuclear-free treaty

SE Asia to adopt nuclear-free treaty

BANGKOK (Reuter): Ten southeast Asian countries are expected to sign an agreement on a nuclear weapons-free zone in the region at a summit in Bangkok next week, officials said yesterday.

Myanmar has told officials preparing for the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that it is ready to sign the pact prohibiting the possession, manufacture or acquisition of nuclear weapons, the officials said.

With Myanmar's agreement, the treaty will cover the seven ASEAN members -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- as well as non-members Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

ASEAN officials are preparing the agenda for a meeting of foreign and economic ministers from Dec. 11 to be followed by the summit of heads of government on Dec. 14-15. The treaty will be a highlight of the summit.