South African Government Status on the Right of Iran to Develop Nuclear Capacity for Peaceful Purposes

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 98N106E

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 2 DATED 10 FEBRUARY 2006

MR DHM GIBSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

(1) Whether the Government believes that (a) Iran has the right to develop a nuclear capacity and (b) this nuclear capacity will be used for peaceful purposes; if not, why not; if so, why in each case?

(2) Whether the Government believes that Iran should face sanctions if it decides to unilaterally bar United Nations officials from inspecting its nuclear facilities; if not, why not; if so, what action will be taken in this regard? N106E"

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes. South Africa supports the inalienable right of all countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes as provided for in Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty.

(b) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has to date not found any evidence in Iran of the diversion of capabilities to non-peaceful activities.

(2) The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to implement its legal obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), including by providing access to IAEA inspectors in accordance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. It is therefore premature to speculate about such eventuality.