Burma considers joining regional nuclear safeguards body
Australia Network News
Australia has confirmed that Burma's military regime is interested in joining the regional nuclear safeguards body, the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network.
The body is currently chaired by Australia.
Burma's interest in membership was revealed by the Washington-based non-government body, the Institute for Science and International Security, amid ongoing international concern that Burma's reclusive rulers might be seeking to develop a nuclear weapons program with North Korean assistance.
Other regional states are thought to be sceptical about Burma's intentions with possible membership of the safeguards network, though some experts argue for engagement.
Australia's Foreign Affairs Department says no formal request to join has been received from Burma and so it hasn't been considered.
Australia says if the matter arises, it'll be considered in consultation with other members of the network, which makes it's decisions by consensus.
Aid pledged
Meanwhile, Australia has pledged a 40 per cent increase in humanitarian aid to Burma over the next three years, saying the country can't be allowed to decay completely while waiting for political change.
Foreign minister Stephen Smith has announced that aid focussed on health, education and agriculture will rise from $US26 million dollars now, to around $US43 million.
Mr Smith says it's in line with the change of US policy that calls for engagement as well as sanctions to try to bring the reclusive regime out of its isolation and to ease harsh repression.
But with elections due later this year, Mr Smith told Parliament the aid pledge was not a reward for the generals.
"Australia and the international community stand ready to assist Burma, but it is not a one-way street."
"Australia urges the Burmese authorities to respond in good faith both to international engagement and to Aung San Suu Kyi's recent approach to it on sanctions and on dialogue."
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