Elimination of nuclear weapons
Re: "Living in the shadow of nuclear atrocity", Editorial, August 13.
The above mentioned editorial focuses on a vital issue. The nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 evoke the darkest chapter in the history of wars. Moreover, it reminds that the apocalyptic nuclear peril with its potential catastrophic consequences is still present today, while global diplomatic negotiations for the full ban of nuclear weapons have not produced any meaningful results.
Therefore, regional initiatives on the matter have to be further stimulated. Indeed, public international law recognises the right of any group of states to conclude regional treaties in order to assume the total absence of nuclear weapons in their respective territories.
All 10 members of Asean are party to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. Signed in Bangkok on December 15, 1995, this treaty serves as a significant instrument for enhancing Asean’s contribution to the collective efforts toward the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and the promotion of international peace and security.
Ridding the world of nuclear arsenals must be one of the highest objectives of multilateral diplomacy in the years to come and the positive example offered by Asean should be taken seriously on all continents.
Ioan Voicu
