Try calls for nuclear-free regional zone

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno in Canberra yesterday called for the creation of a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia, hinting that its establishment could begin as early as next year.

Addressing a seminar on regional security at the Australian Defense Academy, Try said the Southeast Asian countries were in agreement on rejecting the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

"In fact, the move to agree on a zone in Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons could begin at the conference set to extend the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) next year," he said.

The censure of nuclear weapons in the region was, according to Try, one of the six main points necessary to secure a stable and peaceful Asia Pacific.

The vice president, who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday, is on a three-day working visit to Australia, making him the highest ranking Indonesian official to arrive "down under" since President Soeharto in 1975.

He told an audience of ranking military officials in the Pacific, including the Commander of the United States' Pacific forces, Adm. Richard Macke, that an agreement on a nuclear free Southeast Asia could be embodied within the NPT.

The NPT is a treaty signed by 164 countries preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. It was set-up in 1970 and is due for renewal in 1995.

"Not a single country in Southeast Asia desires to possess or to produce nuclear weapons," Try said in support of his argument.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating who was also present at the seminar affirmed the importance of good bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia.

As reported by Antara, Keating remarked that domestic stability within Indonesia has direct ramifications on Australia's security.

Though bilateral relations were at times strained in the past, specifically concerning the East Timor issue, Keating, since assuming his post, has put high priority on forging closer ties with Indonesia.

In fact Indonesia was the first country he visited after assuming office in December 1991. Since then Keating has made two additional trips and is expected again in Jakarta for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting in November.

At the seminar yesterday, Keating noted that Australia has also enjoyed the fruits of Indonesia's stability and successful development of the past 30-years.

ZOPFAN

Try strongly advocated to the seminar that regional security can be safeguarded under the framework of the Zone Of Peace Freedom And Neutrality (ZOPFAN).

ZOPFAN was first created under the umbrella of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1971.

ASEAN comprises Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Try stressed that ZOPFAN was not an attempt to diminish the role of the major powers but rather to allow these powers to play a constructive part in the region.

According to the vice president, of the six points stated for shaping regional security, one was cooperation in securing free access to shipping lanes and another the evasion of an arms race.

On the latter point, Try urged for transparence in the exercise of national defenses by such means as an open exchange of military expenditure and doctrines.

Try is scheduled to meet with Keating today before returning to Indonesia. (mds)