Statement delivered by Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, South Africa’s Governor to the IAEA Board of Governors at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, Vienna, 4 June 2008

Agenda item 11: Any Other Business

Chairperson,

South Africa takes note of the information provided by the Director General in his introductory statement in connection with the destruction by Israel of an installation in Syria and the concern expressed by the Director General that the information concerning the installation was not provided to the Agency in a timely manner.

South Africa also shares Dr ElBaradei’s concern about the use of unilateral force by Israel, which is in violation of the UN Charter and calls upon Member States to prevent a further escalation of this issue that could negatively impact on the already volatile situation in this sensitive region.

Chairperson,

We have all committed ourselves not to undermine the authority of the IAEA. South Africa therefore calls upon Member States to direct any concerns they may have on the implementation of a Member State’s safeguards agreement to the IAEA for consideration, to enable the Agency to undertake any actions that may be required in accordance with the Agency’s Statutory mandate.

We commend the decision by Syria to fully co-operate with the Agency on this matter and we look forward to the Director General informing the Board on the outcome of the visit by the Agency team.  

I thank you

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs

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5 June 2008