DATE=12/8/95
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-189765
TITLE=U.S. / ASEAN NUCLEAR (S)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN 
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS  NOT  PREPARED TO SIGN A 
NUCLEAR FREE ZONE FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA.  RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM 
THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE ISSUE REMAINS NUCLEAR POWERED SHIPS.

TEXT:  THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES STILL HAS 
CONCERNS ABOUT THE NUCLEAR FREE ZONE PREPARED BY THE ASSOCIATION 
OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS.  SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS 
PROGRESS AT NEGOTIATIONS IN JAKARTA LAST MONTH WAS  NOT  
SUFFICIENT FOR THE UNITED STATES TO AGREE TO JOIN THE ZONE.

                         // BURNS ACT //

         THESE CONSULTATIONS WERE PRODUCTIVE.  WE MADE SOME 
         PROGRESS IN RESOLVING SOME OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL CONCERNS, 
         BOTH WITH THE TREATY AND THE WITH THE PROTOCOL.  THESE 
         CONSULTATIONS DID  NOT  HOWEVER, RESOLVE ALL OF THE 
         ISSUES THAT ARE OF FUNDAMENTAL INTEREST TO THE UNITED 
         STATES AND TO OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATES.

                          // END ACT //

THE PROPOSED ASEAN FREE ZONE WOULD BAN NUCLEAR ARMED OR POWERED 
SHIPS, A CONDITION THE UNITED STATES CANNOT ACCEPT.  MR. BURNS 
SAYS ASEAN HAS BEEN ASKED TO MODIFY THESE PROVISIONS SO THE 
UNITED STATES CAN SUPPORT A DRAFT AGREEMENT.  AS A PACIFIC POWER,
THE UNITED STATES HAS TREATY ARRANGEMENTS WITH THAILAND AND THE 
PHILLIPINES, TWO OF THE ASSOCIATION'S MEMBERS.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RP/CF

08-Dec-95 3:12 PM EST (2012 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.