U.S. positive about SEA nuclear free zone

U.S. positive about SEA nuclear free zone

JAKARTA (JP): The United States said it was sympathetic to the formation of a nuclear weapons free zone in Southeast Asia.

"We are positively inclined towards such an arrangement," said Robert Einhorn, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for political and military affairs, during a Worldnet dialog from Washington yesterday.

He told panelists in Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Singapore and Jakarta that such a zone was welcomed as long as it further enhanced non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and would not bring detrimental effects to the security of the region.

Yesterday's dialog was conducted as a campaign to promote the indefinite extension of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which comes under review next month.

According to Indonesian legislator Theo Sambuaga, the U.S. so far, has failed to show its commitment for a nuclear weapons free zone. However, he said that Washington, in the past few days, has indicated that it might agree to it.

Einhorn did confirm Theo's comment but stated that the U.S. "looks forward to receiving and analyzing the text of the nuclear weapons free zone for Southeast Asia."

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have long insisted on creating a nuclear weapons free zone in the region through the concept the Zone Of Peace Friendship And Neutrality.

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

As the Non-Proliferation Treaty review comes closer, Einhorn expressed confidence that there would be enough votes necessary for the treaty's indefinite extension.

"We believe the votes will be there," he said adding there was no need for the U.S. to think of a fallback.

He claimed that despite 70-80 countries still being undecided about their position, none have categorically objected to the indefinite extension.

Indonesia tends not to accept an indefinite extension due to its suspicions of nuclear weapons owning countries commitments to comprehensively reduce their nuclear arsenals.

Einhorn asserted his government's commitment to the process and said that Washington had conducted high level discussions with officials here.

"We hope to persuade Indonesia that its in their interest and the interest of the entire world," he said.(mds)