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Statement by Mr Abdul Samad Minty, Governor of the Republic
of South Africa, at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy
Agency on Agenda Item 5: Nuclear Verification (B): Report by the Director General
on the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic
of Iran, Vienna, 8 March 2006 Chairperson, South Africa fully associates
itself with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We
should also like to mark International Women's Day, which should be of importance
not only for women but to humanity as a whole. As long as half of humanity is
subjected to discrimination and exclusion we shall all be derived of this major
human resource. Thus we are proud that the African Union at its inception had
decided that at least half of its Commissioners should be women. Maybe there is
important work to be done in other multilateral bodies. We appreciate the
informative and comprehensive report by the Director General on the implementation
of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran as contained in
document GOV/2006/15. South Africa wishes to thank the Director General and his
staff for their continued and dedicated efforts to investigate the remaining outstanding
issues relevant to the peaceful nuclear programme of Iran. I should also like
to express my appreciation for the continued co-operation extended by the Iranian
authorities to the Director General and his staff. Chairperson, At
the outset I am sure that we all recognise and confirm that the IAEA is the sole
competent authority responsible for verifying and assuring, in accordance with
its Statute and the safeguards system, compliance with the safeguards agreements
which States Parties undertake in fulfilment of their obligations under Article
III of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a view to
preventing diversion of nuclear energy from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons or
other nuclear explosive devices. Chairperson, South Africa notes from
the Director General's report that since the previous update on developments in
Iran, it is clear that some additional progress has been made in resolving the
outstanding issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear programme. Although we welcome
the reconfirmation by the Agency that all the declared nuclear material in Iran
has been accounted for and that the Agency has not seen any diversion of such
material to nuclear weapons, we regret the fact that the Agency is not yet in
a position to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities
in Iran. We note that although steady progress has been made on the two
critical issues of contamination and the P-1and P-2 centrifuge programmes, these
issues still require further clarification in order to enable the Agency to provide
the necessary assurances regarding the nuclear programme in Iran. With
regard to the issue of contamination, South Africa notes that the Agency is also
awaiting additional information from another Member State and we trust that with
their continued assistance, the Agency will be able to finalise this outstanding
matter soon. With regard to the second outstanding issue pertaining to the centrifuge
programme, we note that further clarifications are awaited from Iran. However,
the clarification of these outstanding issues will continue to require the assistance
and cooperation not only of Iran but also of third parties, and South Africa encourages
all concerned to accelerate their co-operation with the Agency, to finalise these
matters without delay. Chairperson, South Africa recognizes the need
for further investigation of the clandestine supply network is required in order
to corroborate the information that Iran has provided, so as to enable the Agency
to conclude its assessment of the extent of Iran's centrifuge enrichment programme. We
share the international community's concern over the illicit transfer of nuclear
and nuclear dual-use technology and materials that could be used in weapons of
mass destruction. The Director General also clearly stated that the experience
of the illicit trade in nuclear technology to manufacture nuclear weapons presents
a serious challenge to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT). At the 2005 NPT Review Conference, South Africa made proposals to deal
with this issue in the context of the NPT, but due to the failure of the Conference
the issue was regrettably not taken up. South Africa agrees that we should
collectively act to strengthen international efforts against weapons of mass destruction,
especially nuclear weapons. In this regard, in dealing with this illicit network,
estimated to be operating in numerous countries world-wide, it is important to
tighten controls over nuclear material, technologies and equipment to prevent
nuclear weapons proliferation and illicit trafficking, and to review existing
penalties for such grave offences. It should be a matter of serious concern
for all of us that with so many countries involved there appears to be few arrests
and prosecutions and that undoubtedly reflects on a possible lack of investigative
capacity and co-operation between countries including information sharing. Indeed,
if there is a need we should work out ways and means to assist such countries. South
Africa's experience with this network has shown that no control regime, no matter
how comprehensive, can fully guarantee against abuse. Therefore, the success of
such controls remains dependent on effective information sharing and co-operation
among relevant parties and the IAEA. It is imperative that the Board considers
this matter, and as a matter of priority the Governors initiate a process on how
this enhanced co-operation and information sharing can be achieved within the
framework of the IAEA. The Agency needs to be at the centre of this process and
it is therefore imperative that all parties provide it with the necessary information.
In addition to proliferation concerns as a result of illicit nuclear networks,
South Africa believes that the international community should redouble its efforts
in dealing with nuclear disarmament. The existence of nuclear weapons and the
threat to use them prompts States to desire possessing these weapons at the peril
of nuclear disarmament and the global establishment of nuclear weapon free zones,
including in the Middle East. Chairperson, South Africa shares the
concern of the Agency that the uncertainties related to the scope and nature of
Iran's nuclear programme have not been clarified after nearly three years of verification
activities undertaken. South Africa fully supports the efforts of the Agency in
executing its investigative mandate in Iran and we believe that an enhanced process
of co-operation between Iran and the Agency would facilitate the efforts by the
Agency to reach a conclusion that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or
activities in Iran. South Africa appreciates Iran's continued co-operation
with the Agency in resolving the remaining outstanding issues in the context of
its Safeguards Agreement, and we urge Iran to continue to expeditiously provide
the information required by the Agency. Chairperson, Whereas South
Africa recognises the inalienable right of all NPT States Parties to utilise the
atom for peaceful purposes in conformity with its obligations under the Treaty,
South Africa also believes that States with advanced nuclear capabilities have
the obligation to build confidence with the international community in the peaceful
purposes of their activities. We are pleased that Iran has been able to
facilitate the work of the Agency in clarifying the outstanding issues pertaining
to its nuclear activities, which should naturally continue including through the
provisional implementation of the Additional Protocol as if it has been ratified.
Furthermore, the continued implementation of relevant non-legally binding confidence
building measures are useful measures to also facilitate the process to clarify
the issues related to Iran's nuclear programme. Chairperson, In resolving
the tensions surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear programme and to avoid a confrontation
South Africa believes that it is important to work for an inclusive and sustainable
negotiated agreement that respects the legitimate sovereign interest of all the
countries concerned, as well as the imperative to reduce regional and global conflicts
and tensions.
South Africa welcomes the initiatives aimed at restoring
confidence in Iran's peaceful nuclear programme, including the initiative by the
Russian Federation for a co-operation agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran
on the enrichment of uranium. Notwithstanding the importance of these initiatives,
they have no applicability beyond this framework. All States Parties of the NPT
in conformity with their obligations under the Treaty have the right to develop
research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In
conclusion Chairperson,
The Board in its previous decision in February
2006 reaffirmed its, and I quote, "resolve to continue to work for a diplomatic
solution to the Iranian nuclear issue". South Africa therefore believes that
through continued dialogue, and the demonstration of the required political will
by all concerned would ensure that the uncertainties surrounding Iran's nuclear
programme is brought to a peaceful closure without resorting to, or to threaten
to use coercive action, thereby avoiding a confrontation that could escalate into
a spiralling conflict with uncontrollable consequences. The Agency is central
in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue in accordance with the IAEA Statute. Also
in February 2006, the Board underlined the fact, and I quote, "that the Agency's
work on verifying Iran's declarations is ongoing". It is incumbent upon us
not to hinder nor place undue pressure on the Agency to complete its work within
artificially set deadlines. We also commend and we all recognize the high
quality and competence of the Agency in dealing with its verification mandate
under the Statute, and its reports are indispensable in any serious consideration
of matters related to nuclear verification. In this regard, the Board plays
a crucial role in assessing the corrective action taken by Iran and based on this
assessment, the Board may thereafter decide on any further measures Iran may need
to take to ensure the full implementation of its obligations under its Safeguards
Agreement. Although the Board requested in February 2006 the Director General
to convey his report to the Security Council, South Africa continues to believe
that all IAEA reports and resolutions related to Iran's nuclear issue should also
be conveyed to the United Nations General Assembly. Therefore, I request
that the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic
of Iran be placed on the Agenda of the next regular meeting of the Board, and
that the Director General provide the Board at that meeting with an updated report
on developments on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in Iran. Chairperson,
I thank you. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department
of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001 8 March
2006
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