nuclear-news

Big nuclear powers annoyed at the idea of ASEAN nuclear free zone treaty

 Nuclear-armed countries will try to make things difficult because, simply put, they don’t want any restrictions on the option of transporting weapons material anywhere. They will obfuscate, delay, harangue and act superior, but don’t let that derail a good treaty.

Asean nuclear stance irks bigger powers
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Asean-nuclear-stance-irks-bigger-powers-30185870.html  Ken Albertsen,  Chiang Rai. July 11, 2012   Critics bash Asean for its habit of holding meetings that usually wind up accomplishing not much more than playing golf, staying and eating at fancy resorts, and receiving nice shirts from host countries.

Now, with news from its most recent meeting, as reported in The Nation – “Nuclear states shun Asean treaty” – it appears the grouping is endeavouring to do something worthwhile.

Regarding Asean’s attempts to hammer out a treaty that forbids the transport or use of nuclear weapons or materials in Southeast Asia, my message to Asean reps is: Stick with it!

Don’t be disheartened by resistance from representatives of nuclear-armed countries. Resistance from them is expected, but adherence to righteous principles by Asean will prevail. Nuclear treaties have always been sticklers – just ask Al Gore and the hundreds of others who endeavoured to hammer out treaties between the US and USSR for decades. Even so, there were some successes over the years. Nuclear-armed countries will try to make things difficult
because, simply put, they don’t want any restrictions on the option of transporting weapons material anywhere. They will obfuscate, delay, harangue and act superior, but don’t let that derail a good treaty.

Interesting that at the same venue there is discussion of the tensions
in the South China Sea. There is a correlation. China, determined to
own all the islands in that vast region, wants no limitations on its
options either. It is already building its first aircraft carrier, and
having the nuclear option is a big stick in the business of
persuasion. No matter (to China) that it is six to 10 times more
distant from certain islands than other contesting countries. Perhaps
China would be willing to trade Hainan to the Philippines in exchange
for the little islands. Okay, I jest. But the matter of transporting
nuclear weapons or materials across Southeast Asia by air, land or sea
should be a no-brainer. No transport, no way. Period. Is there
anything about “no transport” that nuclear weapons-owning countries
don’t understand?

July 11, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general