Clark steering clear of Asean-Australia treaty row

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VIENTIANE, LAOS - Prime Minister Helen Clark is keeping out of a diplomatic row between Australia and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) over Australian Prime Minister John Howard's refusal to sign a non-aggression pact.

Both New Zealand and Australia have been considering a long-standing request to sign a Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC), but the issue has taken on new urgency as leaders gather for the Asean summit in the Laos capital of Vientiane.

Helen Clark and Foreign Minister Phil Goff have both spoken favourably in the past about signing the pact which calls on signatories to commit to "non-interference in the internal affairs of one another", a "renunciation of the threat or use of force" and the settlement of disputes by "peaceful means".

Other countries seeking closer links with Asean have signed up but Australia says it is unnecessary as it and New Zealand prepare to launch trade negotiations with the 10 members strong grouping of Asean nations.

The Australian media said both Mr Howard and Trade Minister Mark Vaile were against the idea.

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