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AFP(4/12/95): BURMA TO RESPOND ASEA



Subject: AFP(4/12/95): BURMA TO RESPOND ASEAN'S NUCLEAR-FREE TREATY

	ASIA: ASEAN TO APPROVE NUCLEAR FREE ZONE TREATY
ASEAN NUCLEAR (CARRIED EARLIER)
   JAKARTA, Dec 4 AFP - ASEAN nations have all approved a treaty to 
be signed at their summit this month creating a nuclear free zone 
in Southeast Asia, officials said today.
	   Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretary general Dato 
Ajit Singh said "the treaty is ready for signature in Bangkok." The 
seven nation group is to hold its summit in Thailand from December 
14.
	   Singh told a press conference the world's five nuclear powers -- 
United States, Russia, France, Britain, and China -- were consulted 
over the treaty.
	   The treaty could annoy France which has been at the centre of an 
international controversy over its nuclear tests. China has also 
pursued testing in the face of international opposition.
	   Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said this week the 
treaty, which has been prepared for the last 10 years, would pledge 
"not to produce, store or allow the storage or production of 
nuclear weapons."
	   The use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was not governed 
by the treaty, Alatas said.
	   ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, 
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, which joined this year.
	   Of ASEAN's observer nations, Cambodia and Laos have approved the 
treaty. Burma, which has requested observer status, has not 
responded. The secretary declined to explain Burma's stance.
	   Indonesian Institute of Sciences' political analyst, Dewi 
Fortuna Anwar, said Burma's delay in giving approval may be linked 
to its close relations with China. He added that the treaty would 
only be meaningful if all 10 full members and observers approved 
it.
	   AFP shb