Thai calls for end to arms build-up

Thai calls for end to arms build-up

BANGKOK (AFP): Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh urged
Thailand's Southeast Asian neighbors on Thursday to halt weapons
purchases and instead divert the money into development programs.

Chavalit, a former prime minister and army chief, said he
would propose the initiative at a meeting of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) security forum later this year.

"Thailand will propose ASEAN finds a way to reduce the
procurement of new arms because there should be unity in the
group, and therefore no security concerns," he said.

He said the 10 ASEAN members continued to spend large amounts
on new armaments, even though many of their economies were still
weak after the 1997-98 regional financial meltdown.