Statement by Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, Governor of the Republic of South Africa, Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 13 September 2006

Agenda item 8: Nuclear verification

(c) Implementation of NPT Safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Chairperson,

My delegation associates itself with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement on this agenda item.

We thank the Director General for his report on the "Implementation of NPT Safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran", as contained in document GOV/2006/53, and commend the Director General and the Department for Safeguards for their dedication and commitment to clarify the remaining safeguards issues relevant to Iran's peaceful nuclear programme.

My delegation has noted the co-operation extended by the Iranian authorities to the Director General and his staff, in particular in providing the Agency with access to nuclear material and facilities and in providing the required reports.

Chairperson,

South Africa, however, notes from the Director General's report that there remains very little progress in solving the outstanding safeguards issues. My delegation is particularly disappointed to note that no further progress has been made by the Agency in its efforts to verify the correctness and completeness of Iran's declarations, which would enable it to confirm the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.

Notwithstanding the involvement of other organs of the United Nations in the issue of Iran's nuclear programme, the IAEA remains the sole competent authority responsible for verifying and assuring, in accordance with its Statute, Iran's compliance with its safeguards agreement. If we are to preserve the integrity, authority and credibility of the Agency to confirm the peaceful nature of our respective nuclear programmes, there rests a responsibility on all of us to fully co-operate with the Agency in a pro-active and prompt manner.

Chairperson,

At our previous Board meeting in June 2006, South Africa expressed the hope that Iran will carefully consider, and in due time respond to the proposal made by the European Union on behalf of the Permanent Members of the Security Council and Germany.

We welcome the response by Iran on 22 August 2006 and its decision to engage in "serious" talks with these nations on their proposal. We are encouraged by the preliminary discussions that have been taking place during the last few days. For the first time since August 2005, there seems to be a real possibility of resuming negotiations with the view to resolving differences. My delegation has always supported the efforts towards finding a sustainable, long-term agreement that takes full account of the rights, obligations, concerns, needs and legitimate aspirations of all the parties involved.

South Africa strongly believes that we cannot afford a further major crisis in a region of high tension, conflict and instability and a general lack of security, as well as massive suffering on the part of ordinary citizens.

We believe that if all parties concerned continue to de-escalate the process, exercise maximum restraint and show the necessary flexibility, any differences can be resolved without the need to resort to confrontation and coercive measures. It is our hope that we will all act in a manner that would build the necessary trust and confidence to normalize this complex matter.

The Board will have to remain seized of this matter and honourably discharge the Agency's responsibilities.

Thank you, Chairperson.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
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13 September 2006