Global Security Newswire

Myanmar on Saturday again addressed concerns that it is attempting to join the cadre of nuclear-armed nations, Reuters reported (see GSN, Aug. 24).

The country, still widely known as Burma, has already signed a deal with Russia for construction of a civilian research reactor, and hopes to continue receiving Moscow's support for nuclear-energy operations.

However, U.S. officials and others have also expressed worries that North Korea is aiding Myanmar's effort to build underground nuclear facilities that could be intended to produce weapons materials. Claims from two defectors have added to those fears, though a number of analysts have expressed skepticism about the assertions and said there is little proof that Myanmar wants to develop nuclear weapons.

Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win "told Japan's foreign minister that Myanmar has no intention to have a nuclear weapon," Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kazuo Kodama said Saturday.

"Myanmar has conducted a consultation to have assistance from Russia for a peaceful use of nuclear energy," he added.

There was no immediate word on whether the two top diplomats talked about reports of Myanmar's reported nuclear collaboration with Pyongyang, Reuters reported (Ek Madra, Reuters, Oct. 3).