US, 4 other nuclear powers to pledge not to use nukes vs ASEAN countries

PHNOM PENH - The United States and four other nuclear powers that are permanent members of the UN Security Council will pledge not to use nuclear weapons against any of the ASEAN member countries in a protocol expected to be signed next month in Cambodia, ASEAN sources said Friday.

The sources said the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty is expected to be signed on the sidelines of a regional security conference to be held in Phnom Penh in mid-July.

Once the documents are ratified by the signatory countries, Southeast Asia will become the first nuclear-free zone in Asia, a key strategic objective ASEAN member countries have sought since the Cold War.-Interaksyon (June 30, 2012)