Recently, we have heard of Thailand’s intentions of opting for nuclear energy to accommodate its energy needs. Thailand has for the first time included nuclear power as an option for its long-term energy plans, despite worries concerning the environment and that the unclear plants could become targets of international terrorism.
As a member of ASEAN, Thailand is obliged to the preamble of ASEAN, namely ‘to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter’. This spirit accelerates greater change for the region to view such proposals deemed useful for Thailand’s economic and social growth.
Suffice it to say that nuclear related issues have created tensions and conflicts of interest in many nations. This involves a potential damage to the environment, to health and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the hands of irresponsible agents. However, many of these conflicts exist due to the lack of strict procedures and a commitment on the part of the implementer and monitoring bodies.
If Thailand embarks on this proposal, it will become the first country in the region to adopt atomic energy as an energy option. The repercussions to this option will become the major point of criticism by many anti-nuclear activists around the globe. Criticisms will include the impact on the environment, the public health, security and terrorism.
Since the inception of ASEAN in 1967 through the historic Bangkok Declaration, the region has spurred economic growth and has become the prime destination for foreign investors to invest their capital. This platform of cooperation for almost 40 decades, successfully reflects the noble vision of previous great leaders of the member states. Through this platform many instruments of cooperation and commitment were created for implementation. Included in areas of security cooperation are the Zone of Peace, the Freedom and Neutrality Declaration of 1971, and the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone of 1995, which incumbered members to ensure the region would be free from an abuse of nuclear technology which could jeopardize the stability of the region.
As I mentioned earlier, even though the nuclear issue is open to many interpretations with regard to its use, some of which have led to a conflict of interest among states and their citizens, the rule of law is deemed necessary in the case of ASEAN. The adoption of a nuclear energy policy in Thailand may open Pandora’s Box which could create a kind of domino effect within the region. Should we view this not as a threat to the stability of the region? In the do we not predict that the security concerns of the region need to change? These are some fundamental assumptions which need to be dealt with by the government.
The treaty making ASEAN a nuclear weapons-free zone becomes important in this context because its strict application will build trust and prevent prejudice among member states, and could prevent nuclear technology from being abused. The prime concern of the treaty was to make ASEAN free from nuclear related-problems, namely the possible proliferation, lack of operational safety and final disposal of high level radioactive waste.
Even though the treaty does not prohibit any member nation from engaging in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, it is incumbent that members strictly adhere to the policy of ‘what and how-to’ for this purpose. The treaty clearly stipulates that members are not allowed to develop, station or test nuclear weapons, dump, discharge and dispose of radioactive material or waste. In addition, it strictly outlines several responsibilities, namely;
- that nuclear material and facilities which are within its territory and areas under its jurisdiction and control are to be used exclusively for peaceful purpose;
- that prior to embarking on its peaceful nuclear energy programme, members must subject its programme to rigorous nuclear safety assessments conforming to guidelines and standards recommended by the IAEA for the protection of health and the minimization of danger to life and property in accordance with Paragraph 6 of Article III of the IAEA Statute;
- that upon request, to make available to another State party the assessment except information relating to personal data, information protected by intellectual property rights or by industrial or commercial confidentiality, and information relating to national security;
- to support the continued effectiveness of the international non-proliferation system based on the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the IAEA safeguard system; and
- to dispose radioactive wastes and other radioactive material in accordance with IAEA standards and procedures on land within its territory or on land within the territory of another State which has consented to such disposal.
It is clear that member states must work hand in hand within the spirit of ASEAN. In an increasing interdependent world, the cherished ideal of peace, freedom, social justice and economic well-being are best attained by fostering good understanding, good neigbourliness and meaningful cooperation. I believe, if the member states strictly abide by the rule of law (i.e the treaty) the future direction of security within this region does not require major changes. This is promising because we, the ASEAN citizens, are already bound together by a somewhat shared history and culture. This will strengthen efforts to ensure firm foundations for common action to promote regional and international cooperation in the spirit of equality and partnership, thereby contributing towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region.