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Statement by South Africa as Delivered
by Mr. A S Minty, The Governor for South Africa at the
International Atomic Energy Agency
Agenda item 8(e): Implementation of the NPT safeguards
agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Report by
the Director-General.
Chairperson,
At the outset, we welcome the fact that we have adopted
the resolution by consensus and wish to associate ourselves
fully with the statements made on behalf of the African
Group and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on this agenda
item.
My delegation wishes to thank the Director-General
for his comprehensive report as contained in GOV/2004/34
on the implementation of the safeguards agreement in
the Islamic Republic of Iran. I would like to commend
the Agency for its highly professional efforts and to
express my appreciation for the continued co-operation
extended by the Iranian authorities to the Director-General
and his staff. We are pleased to note that in the latest
Report of the Director-General no new revelations have
been made about breaches or any undeclared activities
related to Iran's nuclear programme.
Chairperson,
With regard to the operative paragraphs 7 and 8 of
the resolution on Iran, proposals were made by the Non-Aligned
Movement, as well as bilaterally by South Africa in
order to improve the language to ensure that these reflect
the mandate of the Board and maintain its integrity
and credibility. We have made this point based on principle
before.
Chairperson,
South Africa recognises and supports the inalienable
right of all States, including Iran, to utilise the
atom for peaceful purposes without discrimination, in
accordance with Article IV and in conformity with Articles
I, II and III of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). As agreed at the 2000 Review
Conference of the NPT, "each country's choices
and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear
energy should be respected without jeopardising its
policies or international co-operation agreements and
arrangements for peaceful uses of nuclear energy and
its fuel cycle policies".
Based on our own experience and capabilities, we believe
that ownership of the capabilities that could be utilised
to develop nuclear weapons places a special resonsibility
on the States concerned, especially those that have
developed full nulcear fuel cycles. The Agency has to
be able to verify that all such capabilities are being
used for peaceful purposes only, including through the
mechanisms available under the Additional Protocol for
strengthened safeguards. It is our view that States
must also accept the responsibility of building confidence
with the international community that would remove any
concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation, which
requires transparency and full co-operation with the
Agency.
Chairperson,
In the case of the capabilities being developed by
Iran, South Africa has studied the report of the Director-General
and noted that good progress has been made on the actions
agreed to during the visit by the Director-General to
Teheran during early April 2004. My delegation also
welcomes Iran's initial declarations submitted pursuant
to its Additional Protocol and the granting of access
to Agency inspectors at locations in Iran, including
workshops at military sites. Furthermore, South Africa
welcomes the Agency's report that it has been able to
verify Iran's implementation of its decision to suspend
enrichment related and reprocessing activities, although
this process has not yet been finalised because of the
continued production of centrifuge equipment by some
private companies.
Chairperson,
South Africa has, however, also noted the concerns
expressed in the Report in relation to the importation
and fabrication of P-2 centrifuge components and the
origin of contamination at Natanz, the Kalaye Electric
Company and Farayand Technique. In this regard, my delegation
would urge Iran and other parties concerned to co-operate
pro-actively with the Agency in providing the necessary
clarification and support to the ongoing inspections.
In addition, my delegation would urge all other States
with relevant information to also proactively provide
their prompt and full support and assistance in strengthening
the Agency's work. It is therefore our hope that the
remaining questions concerning Iran's programme will
be clarified on a sound scientific basis, with the view
to the early closure of this matter.
Chairperson,
We wish to thank the Director-General and his staff
for keeping the Board informed of developments related
to the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreements
in the Islamic Republic of Iran and look forward to
an early conclusion of this matter.
I thank you.
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
18 June 2004
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