A/35/PV.53 General Assembly

First of all, I should like to express to Mr. Eklund our sincere apprecia- tion for his lucid-and comprehensive introduction of the report of lAEA for the year 1979,1 We are par- ticularly grateful for his most interesting assessment of the international energy situation and for the valuable information he supplied' about events of the current year [52nd meeting, paras. 2-45]. 2. Indeed, there can be no doubt that the prevailing developments emphasize the crucial role played by lAEA in today's international relations and the constantly growing relevance of the manifold tasks which the Agency so admirably performs. 3. Since the Austrian delegation has had the oppor- tunity to present its position on non-proliferation in a recent statement in the First Cornmittee.! I shall restrict myself to a few remarks on this subject. 4. The prevention of a further spread of nuclear weapons remains one of the most urgent items on the international agenda. Austria attaches the utmost importance to this problem and has therefore actively participated in the International Fuel Cycle Evalua- tion which was concluded on 27 February this year. We appreciate the valuable support that IAEA has lent to this exercise. In our view, the Evaluation was a very useful effort in that it brought together con- sumer and supplier nations for a pragmatic exchange of views and information on the nuclear fuel cycle. Thursday, 6 November /980, at 3.20p.m. NEW YORK One of the major conclusions to be drawn from this work is the fact that, while there exist significant dif- ferences in the proliferation risks of different types of nuclear programmes, there does not exist a truly proliferation-resistant fuel cycle. 5. In the absence of a "technical fix", efforts to prevent proliferation have to concentrate on strength- ening the political incentives to forgo the nuclear weapons option. In this connexion the Austrian Government wishes to stress once again its firm commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [re,w/ution 2373 (XXII), annex]. It is our conviction that, in spite of certain short- comings, that Treaty remains the foremost barrier against a further spread of nuclear weapons. 6. While we regret that the second Review Con- ference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, held at Geneva from 1I August to 7 September 1980, has been unable to reach consensus on a final document, we have noted with appreciation that the major principles and objectives of the Treaty were not called into question. Apart from thus proving the essential soundness of the existing non-proliferation regime, the discussions at Geneva have led to a large measure of agreement, in particular with regard to articles Ill, IV and V of the non-proliferation Treaty. We hope that on the basis of this agreement discussion will continue and eventually lead to concrete measures enhancing and strengthening non-proliferation. 7. In this connexion, Austria particularly welcomes the recent establishment of the Committee on Assur- ances of Supply by the IAEA Board of Governors as a part of the follow-up of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation. Enhanced security of supply and guaranteed access to fuel cycle services have become essential elements of the non-proliferation system. Effective measures in this area not only strengthen the commitment of importing Member States parties to the non-proliferation Treaty but also greatly increase its attractiveness to those countries which have so far chosen to remain outside. In this context the Austrian delegation attaches great impor- tance to the elaboration of criteria for preferential treatment of the non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the non-proliferation Treaty which have already accepted full scope safeguards. This applies especially to scientific and technical co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 8. I should like to emphasize, however, that the problem of assured supply is closely linked to the issue of safeguards. There is general agreement today that the safeguards system administered with great ability by lAEA has proved effective in the past. In the view of the Austrian Government this highly satisfactory record warrants an extension of its 9. My comments on non-proliferation would not be complete if I did not mention the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material of 26 October 1979. Austria, which was among the first signatories, considers that agreement to be an important step forward in improving international co-operation and developing common standards for the use, storage and transport of nuclear materials. 10. Technical assistance and promotion of the use of nuclear techniques are other important functions of IAEA. Apart from the traditional activities in the areas of atomic energy development, nuclear physics and the mining of nuclear materials, we are observing with special interest the fast expanding range of appli- cation of isotopes and radiation. From agriculture to medicine to ecology, there seems to be hardly an area where nuclear techniques cannot be employed in the combat against world-wide problems. The invaluable work of IAEA in this field can be continued and developed only if it is based on adequate financial resources. Austria has therefore increased its volun- tary contribution to the Technical Assistance Fund by 30 per cent to SUS 93,600. 15. I should like to express once again our apprecia- tion of the outstanding co-operation and assistance that the Austrian Government continues to receive from the Director General and the Agency's staff. 16. Finally let me thank Mr. Eklund for the kind words that he adressed to the Austrian Government.

It is a pleasure for me to take this opportunity to address this Assembly on the report of IAEA. The Agency is, we consider, one of the more successful organizations within the United Nations system and, in spite of the limited resources available to it, it has an impressive record in meeting its responsibilities. In view of the impor- tance that Australia attaches to the work ofthe Agency, it is useful to reiterate its two primary responsibilities. The first is the development and application of safe- guards required under the Treaty on the Non-Prolifera- tion of Nuclear Weapons and other arrangements; the second is the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy including, in particular, the provision of technical assistance to developing countries. 11. I should now like to turn to the issue of nuclear safety, another important element of the mandate of the IAEA. It has become more and more apparent in past years that the future of nuclear power as a major energy source depends largely on the ability to deal satisfactorily with the safety issues of nuclear power plants and on the development of adequate arrange- ments for the disposal of nuclear wastes. Since solu- tions to those problems can only be found through international co-operation, my Government attaches the greatest importance to the relevant programmes of lAEA. 18. With the growing world energy shortage and the deteriorating international political situation, the role of IAEA is becoming increasingly important. Nuclear energy represents the only developed and proven non-conventional energy source that can make up the anticipated shortfall in energy supply from known reserves ofenergy from non-renewable sources. Developments in the world in recent years have con- tinued to highlight that fact and give emphasis to the increased responsibility of IAEA. 12. As one example of many valuable activities in that field, let me mention the International Con- ference on Current Nuclear Power Plant Safety Issues that was held at Stockholm from 20 to 24 October this year. That meeting provided an excellent oppor- tunity for an extensive exchange ofviews on the safety aspects of nuclear power plants and a sharing of information on the various national programmes and regulations. Apart from providing an opportunity for fruitful discussions among experts, the Stockholm Conference has also, through the intensive participa- tion of the media, contributed to a better informed . public opinion, which we all know to be crucial for 19. As I have already stated, one of the primary responsibilities of IAEA is the development and application of safeguards required under the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty. We cannot look at the peaceful uses of nuclear energy without taking into account methods to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Universal adherence to the Treaty has long been regarded by the Australian Government ,11i. 38, . The Committee on Assurances of Supply held its.organizational session at the end of September, and is to adopt its work programme, in accordance with its terms of reference, at its second session to be held in early March 1981. Japan hopes that the Committee's discussions will be conducive to the strengthening of mutual confidence among the States concerned and to the smooth progress and further development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 39. The Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was unable to adopt a final declaration of substance, and this was a great disappointment to the Japanese delegation. Fortunately, however, there were no basic challenges made to the non-proliferation Treaty system itself, and the need for and importance of maintaining and strengthening the Treaty were reaffirmed. The fact that the Conference was able to arrive at a more or less general consensus in the field of IAEA safe- guards and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is also worthy of special mention. It goes without saying that Japan continues to believe in the usefulness of the non-proliferation Treaty system and intends to par- ticipate actively in international co-operation for maintaining that system. We must not forget, however, that strong appeals were made at the Review Con- ference for much greater progress in nuclear disarma- ment, as being essential to strengthening the non- proliferation Treaty regime. If there is little or no progress in that vital field, in spite of the existence of article VI of the Treaty, tremendous damage will be done to the very credibility of the latter. 40. Japan is convinced that .the non-proliferation Treaty is the only international legal. framework we have within which we can make compatible the pre- vention of nuclear proliferation and the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. My Government, therefore, strongly appeals again to the nuclear-weapon States to exert greater efforts towards nuclear disarma- ment which, it maintains, should go hand in hand with international co-operation-with IAEA in the central role-s-in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 41. Nuclear energy has an enormous potential to contribute to the development and welfare of this planet of ours. And we strongly hope that it will be put to use only for peaceful purposes and that it will not be allowed to continue as a menace to mankind. 42. As to the international conference for the pro- motion of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which the General Assembly decided last year to hold in principle by 1983, my Government considers that such a conference would provide a useful occasion to search for ways and means of promoting further international co-operation in this field, taking into account the provisions of article IV of the non-proliferation Treaty. We welcome the communication to the Secretary-General by many 3 See International Atomic Energy Agency. The Annual Report for 1979, GC(XXIV)/627, para. 12. S5~·· 'My delegation h~s· not~d ~ith interest and satis- faction the growth of the Agency's technical assis- tance to developing countries which, as the report indicates, increased in 1979from $15 million to $17.5 million. Poland attaches major importance to this field of activity pursued by IAEA. Indeed, I have the honour to inform the Assembly that, as in the past, Poland again is making an important voluntary cash contribution for that purpose. While those funds are earmarked for technical assistance purposes, that gesture demonstrates the high value which Poland places upon the Agency's activities in other fields as well, including the environment and nuclear safety, food and agriculture, medicine, information exchange and training. -_.._.... ---. . 56. In concluding my statement, I should like to 'commend the Agency for its role in the preparation of the important International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation study. I also wish to welcome the spirit of understanding with which the Director General approached the task of drawing up a zero-real-growth IAEA budget for 1981. 57. I consider it a privilege to commend for the General Assembly's' approval draft resolution A/35/ L.I0, which was so ably introduced by the repre- sentative of Canada.

The report of lAEA and the introductory statement of the Director General give an account of the Agency's activity with its usual standards of thoroughness and objectivity. We attach great significance and importance to its work., 59. The completion of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation and the second Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons have undoubtedly been the most important developments in the field of international co-operation on nuclear issues since the Agency held its General Conference at New Delhi in December 1979. 60. The Evaluation identified a series of subjects on which international co-operation would be desirable. TW9 of them, namely international plutonium storage and international co-operation in dealing with the long-term storage of spent fuel, are already being addressed by the Agency. 61. Also, we assign great importance to the setting up by the Board of Governors of a Committee on Assurances of Supply. This subject, which until now was a matter of so much debate between suppliers and recipients, can now be expected to be settled with the help of that Committee in a manner accept- able to all interested parties. We, for our part, agree with those who, also at the twenty-fourth regular session of the General Conference of IAEA, stated 62fl1 Still on the subject of the .strengthening of the non-proliferation regime, I may, add that, although it was not possible to agree on the text of a final docu- ment, the participants in the second non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference agreed on the need to maintain and even strengthen the non-proliferation Treaty and accepted it as a basis for the continuation and expansion of international co-operation in nuclear activities for peaceful purposes. The General Con- ference was marked by sharp debates and divergent views on a number of issues, but the participants were in agreement on one thing-that is. on commending IAEA's work in the field of non-proliferation Treaty safeguards. We too join others in expressing apprecia- tion of the Agency's activities in this field. 63. In our judgement this complex of problems represents one of the major areas of IAEA's activity which is assuming increasing importance from year to year. 64. We note with satisfaction that, according to the Agency's report, "In 1979,as in the previous years, the Secretariat, in carrying out the safeguards programme of the Agency, did not detect any anomaly which would indicate the diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded nuclear material for the manufacture of any nuclear weapon, or to further any other military purpose, or for the manufacture ofany other nuclear explosive device.":' 65. It is also to the credit of IAEA that in 1979 it was applying safeguards in 11 of the non-nuclear- weapon States not parties to the non-proliferation Treaty. At the same time we do not find it reassuring that in some countries there still are unsafeguarded nuclear facilities in operation and that some countries are acquiring unsafeguarded enrichment capacity. We remain convinced that the most effective tool for preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons would be the extension of the application of the non- proliferation Treaty to all countries. 66. The growing problems of energy supply make it imperative to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes on a larger scale and to increase its contribution to the production of electric power. 67. As against that, in the introduction to the report it is stated that the total number of nuclear power plants on order decreased during 1979. At the same time, the expansion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is put forward as one of the major tasks in the socialist countries, including mine. 68. The first act of the Hungarian Parliament this year was the adoption of the Nuclear Energy Act, which summarizes existing achievements in the field with due regard to the need for uniform legislation. The Act provides, inter alia, that, in compliance with obligations undertaken in international agreements, nuclearenergy shall not be used for purposes ofnuclear mor~. able Agency; that is better equipped to help non-nuclear-weapon States with the peaceful uses of nucle~r energy. 82. Is it not ironical and, indeed, discouraging and therefore inimical to the cause ofnon-proliferation that while hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent each year on vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons, the voluntary contributions to the technical assistance budget of the IAEA for 1981 amounted to only $13 million, and only $16 million and $19 million respectively are being mentioned as indica- tive figures of voluntary contributions for the 1982 and 1983 programmes of technical assistance to non- nuclear-weapon States, depending, of course, on future voluntary contributions, to be made mainly by nuclear-weapon States? 83. During the General Conference at New Delhi in December 1979the Egyptian delegation put on record its position. I shall not reiterate at length what is already a matter of record. However, let me remind the Assembly of the words of the representative of Egypt on the Board of Governors who, on 18 Sep- tember 1980, lamented the insufficiency of voluntary contributions and the inadequacy of the manner in which these funds are raised-or often not raised- causing both embarrassment and bafflement to the members and to IAEA; plus the lack oftimely planning for technical assistance programmes owing to lack of knowledge of estimated budget allocations for technical assistance. Here again, this attitude cannot be ofhelp to IAEA in its task ofoverseeing and ensuring due respect for the ideals and purposes for which it was established. 84. My Government's delegation at Vienna has presented a proposal to correct the present imbalance in the regional distribution of seats on the Board of Governors for study and review during the next General Conference of IAEA. This proposal tries to correct an imbalance in which Africa is not sufficiently represented on the Board, a position that should be rectified by allocating three additional seats for African States, commensurate with the great increase in their number, which is yet to be reflected by ade- quate representation on the Board. 85. Egypt is a sponsor of draft resolution A/35/L.I0. This emanates from our conviction of the central and crucial role IAEA is playing and the ever increasing and enhanced role it should play in a world more dependent upon and more in need of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. My delegation sincerely hopes that the draft resolution will be unanimously adopted. 86. Mr. PETERS (Luxembourg): On behalf of the nine member States of the European Community, I should like to thank the Director General of IAEA, Mr. Sigvard Eklund, for his highly informative survey of the Agency's activities as contained in the report of the Agency to the General Assembly for the year 1979 and supplemented by the Director General's additional information on developments during 1980. 87. The nine States support the crucial role of lAEA in accelerating and enlarging the contribution of 98., In this context, we should like to acknowledge once more the important role of the IAEA Interna- tional Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste. The nine States would like to record their continuing appreciation of the role the Agency plays in the appli- cation of nuclear science in agriculture and medicine for both developing and industrialized countries. We welcome the co-operation of UNDP in financing projects of IAEA. 99. The member States of the European Community reaffirm their full support for the widest possible application of safeguards by IAEA in order to facili- tate the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with the non-proliferation aims which they share. 100. It is important that safeguarding techniques, especially those for the sensitive parts of the fuel cycle, be improved and developed withoutjeopardizing energy supplies or the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. 101. In his statement the Director General pointed to acute problems emanating from the number of non- safeguarded facilities in several parts of the world. The Community countries share this concern. 102. We welcome the statement in the Safeguards Implementation Report for 1979 that the Secretariat did not detect any anomaly which would indicate the diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded nuclear material for the manufacture of any nuclear weapon or any other nuclear explosive device. 103. The stagnation in the growth of the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes shows how important it is to deal with questions related to safety and the disposal of radioactive waste and the fuel cycle back-end techniques. In this connexion, we support the Agency's studies on international spent fuel management and international plutonium storage. In the public discussion on the use of nuclear energy, the question of nuclear safety plays a central role. Although the political decisions concerning the use of nuclear energy and choice of fuel cycle have to be taken by the national Governments, IAEA can serve as an instrument to assist countries in developing international safety standards through programmes of training, advice, research and information. The member States of the European Community welcome

The annual report presented by lAEA and the inspiring statement made by Mr. Sigvard Eklund, its Director General, demonstrate that the multilateral activities of that Agency concerning the application of the IAEA safeguards system, the solu- tion of the problems of nuclear safety, the provision of technical assistance and the work performed in other fields have been very successfully developed in recent months. At its twenty-fourth regular session of the General Conference which was held from 22 to 26 September 1980, the Agency approved a vast programme of work for 1981-1986 in which we believe are reflected all the ever more complex and ever more numerous problems which confront the Agency as a result of the necessity of further developing nuclear energy throughout the world. 106. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, as a State which, in close co-operation with other countries, primarily the Soviet Union and other membercountries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, has been making systematic efforts in order successfully to implement its nuclear power programme, attaches particular importance to the work of IAEA and to the successful performance of its tasks. 107. At present, despite a certain imbalance in development I there can be no doubt that, at least in the immediate future. atomic energy is the sole true alternative source of energy which is susceptible of broad application. According to calculations, in order not to upset the balance between the sources and the consumption of energy on the world scale, it will be necessary to increase at least sevenfold the production potential of nuclear plants. That fact alone indicates the seriousness of the responsibilities of the Agency as well as the essential role which it has to play in the solution of international problems relating to the development of atomic energy in coming years. 108. The most responsible duties of IAEA, in our view, fall within the area of the implementation of a system of guarantees and the strengthening of the regime of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In that field the Agency is undoubtedly an instrument of particular importance for the strengthening of international peace and security and for averting the threat of nuclear armament getting beyond control. That fact was borne out anew by the second Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which was held from 11 August to 7 September last at Geneva. Those who took part in the Conference, as is well known, highly commended the activities of lAEA in the specific area of the implementation of a system of international safeguards. At the same time, they were unanimous in recognizing that the Agency is per- _~_~~£~_~e_~e.~}l~at present. 111. On the other hand, the policy of the United States and other countries ofthe North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] to step up the arms race and the abrupt swerve which has recently occurred in their policies towards a heightening of tension in all fields ofinternational lifewill, in the final analysis, undermine the stability of the non-proliferation regime. The post- ponement of the ratification of the SALT 11 Treaty," the decision to install in western Europe new Ameri- can medium-range missiles and other like steps run counter not only to the spirit ofthe Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons but also to the obligations undertaken pursuant to article VI of the Treaty. In the final analysis, that also encourages the militaristic regimes in Israel, in the Republic of South Africa and in other countries which hither,o have not given up their dangerous plans to acquire their own nuclear weapons. 112. We are firmly convinced that it is essential effectively, forthrightly and clearly to oppose those 5 Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed at Vienna on 18June 1979. 114. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic actively supports the programmes of IAEA in this important field and considers that the Agency should continue to play the essential part which properly belongs to it in that field, in full accordance with its mandate. 115. This point of view determines our position on the preparation and holding of an international con- ference for the promotion ofinternational co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to be held in 1983. As shown in the report of the Secretary-General [A/35/487], the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and a number of other States are profoundly convinced of the need fully to respect the role of IAEA in this field. Likewise, we feel that the conference to which I have referred should take due account of the results of the second international conference on nuclear power and its fuel cycle, to be convened by the Agency and held in the first half of 1983. 116. We welcome the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material on which work has recently been concluded. We also very much appre- ciate the contribution made by the Agency to complete work on the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evalua- tion exercise which, inter alia, has very clearly and unambiguously confirmed that guarantees of supply and non-proliferation guarantees are organically interrelated. With regard to future activities of IAEA, we attach primary importance to the work to be accomplished by the new Committee on Assurances of Supply. 117. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic supports the Agency's programmes for the provision of tech- nical assistance, which have been carried out with success, and is in favour of that assistance going as a matter of priority to those countries which are parties to the non-proliferation Treaty and which are the least economically developed. Next year Czechoslovakia will make a voluntary contribution to the Fund for Technical Assistance of 300,000 Czechoslovak korunas, will grant five long-term scholarships and four one-year scholarships for study visits and the training of specialists from developing countries and will organize a number of courses, preference being given to specialists from the developing countries. 118. We also appreciate what has been done by IAEA to find a solution to problems of the application of science and nuclear techniques, in particular in the fields of agriculture, medicine and industry. which are 125. Once again, Mr. Eklund's introduction and the annual report of IAEA bear witness to the indis- pensable role of the Agency in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. As before, the annual report shows not only the creditable performance of IAEA but also a basic contradiction, to wit, the benefits of the peaceful atoms, which are the right of every country, and the dangers ofthe proliferation ofnuclear weapons, a threat to all States. 126. The simple fact seems to be that for the fore- seeable future nuclear technology will provide an increasingly important energy source in an increasing number of countries. This means that the interna- tional community and national Governments will have to tackle the multitude of problems that this development entails-availability of nuclear tech- strict non-proliferation considerations. 130. The projects on international spent fuel manage- ment and international plutonium storage have been under way for some time. We are pleased with the progress achieved within those projects. We also welcome the completion of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. 131. In terms of non-proliferation considerations, which should be made paramount in any consideration of peaceful uses of the atom, the ongoing processes within IAEA can make an importart contribution by increasing confidence that proliferation is not taking place. Such confidence is a necessary condition for enhanced international nuclear co-operation. 132. In a joint memorandum entitled "Memoran- dum on the question of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons" circulated in the First Committee, the Nordic countries state, inter alia, the following: "Deliberations in the United Nations, at the second Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, at the International Atomic Energy Agency, and at the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evalua- tion (INFCE) reconfirm that non-proliferation policies do not and should not jeopardize the right of any State, accepting effective non-proliferation restraints, to develop its programmea for peaceful, non-explosive uses of nuclear energy, and that international co-operation in this field would be 144. Without underestimatingthe scope of the results obtained or which are foreseeable, Romania believes, like many other countries, that the Agency should place greater emphasis on the promotion and support, in every possible way, of the industrialization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, particularly for the benefit of the developing countries. We could in no way subscribe to the increasing tendency to direct the activities of the Agencytowards the exercise of its monitoring function at the cost of providing, technical assistance in order to further the peaceful applications of nuclear power. However important those monitoring activities may be-and Romania co-operates with them in good faith-they should not affect the other activities which are the raison d'etre of the Agency. On their achievement will depend the viability of the Agency as a central instrument for international co-operation in the field of the peaceful application of nuclear energy and technology. A growing number of developing countries include nuclear energy and the application of nuclear physics and technology among the areas of major interest to their national economies. In conditions ofa worsening world energy crisis and a steady rise in the price of oil, it is quite natural for States, including the de- veloping countries, to attach even higher priority to the problems inherent in the use of nuclear fuel. 145. We stress this point all the more because the Agency will shortly embark on a new stage in its 6 See document A/C. 1/35/10. 149. In our opinion, guaranteeing States access to nuclear technology, substantially strengthening tech- nical assistance to developing countries to help them to carry out their own national programmes and placing international co-operation in the nuclear field on a more equitable and fairer footing are all extremely important problems in relations among States and, at the same time, constitute the main guidelines for the international conference for the promotion of inter- national co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Romania has from the very outset supported the idea of organizing such a conference which in our opinion should be a major factor in the process of establishing a new international economic order. The purpose of the conference is to arouse the political will of States and to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the peaceful application of nuclear energy becomes a main feature of the economic and social development of peoples, in order gradually to reduce and finally to eliminate economic gaps and under- development. The measures to be adopted by the conference should be founded on the principles of international co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy for economic and social development, as set out in General Assembly resolution 32/50 adopted by consensus. 150. At the same time, specific arrangements will have to be made more effectively to assist the de- veloping countries in their efforts to carry out their own peaceful nuclear programmes. It is a well-known fact that the General Assembly, aW-aRHlf~the impor- tance of nuclear power in accelerating economic development, has frequently recognized, particularly in its resolution 34/63, the need to strengthen the role oflAEA in that activity by increasing the technical assistance funds allocated to developing countries. Like other delegations, we are convinced that the success of the conference will depend in large part on the understavnng and concern shown by the countries with a power I technical and scientific potential for the interests and needs of the developing countries. We emphasize this essential aspect, which must be borne constantly in mind from the very preparatory stages of the conference. The Romanian delegation views as necessary the creation of the prepa: <,,tory committee proposed in draft resolution A/35/L.ll, of which it has become a sponsor, and expresses the hope that a constructive spirit and a common desire for co-operation will inform all the committee's activi- ties. That is the way in which Romania, for its part, My delegation, as a sponsor of draft resolution A/351 L.ll, therefore believes that it is most timely that preparations for the 1983 conference should com- mence. 155. By virtue of its mandate, IAEA will have an important role to play in the 1983 conference. Indeed, one cannot conceive of the question of the uses of nuclear energy without having in mind the Agency, whose promotional and regulatory functions will have significant influence in international agreements to be reached and implemented. 156. The annual report of the Agency for 1979,as well as the Director-General's introductory state- 161. Finally, my delegation is disappointed that the General Conference of the Agency, at its twenty-fourth regular session, held at Vienna in September 1980, failed once again to resolve the problem of the inade- 165. From the initiation of the Baruch Plan, which proposed the creation of an international authority that would be given ownership of all fissionable ma- terials in trust for the entire world and ownership of and administrative responsibility for all nuclear facilities, until the present time, despite innumerable efforts by international bodies and all the progress achieved in the industrial sphere, the collective awareness ofthe world has still been unable to remove that stigma of war from the only viable alternative to the exhaustible sources of energy. 166. The harmful aspect of nuclear energy, namely the possibility of its use in warfare, not only exists but grows daily more important, and with reason, because ofthe constant growth of the nuclear arsenals. With nuclear fission thus understood and having been converted by the great Powers into a means of dis- suasion and of maintaining the balance of terror, its use for the peaceful objectives ofeconomic and social development becomes daily increasingly rhetorical. 167. The second Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has just been concluded at Geneva. The fact that that Treaty, when it was signed, marked a dividing line between nuclear-weapon States and non- nuclear-weapon States caused those countries that did not become parties to it to consider it as a discrimi- natory instrument and brought upon it such epithets as the nuclear "Tordesillas", recalling the famous treaty that divided our continent in two in 1494. 168. Now, just as at the first Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Prolfferation of Nuclear Weapons, held at Geneva from 5 to 13 May 1975, clear evidence has been given of the failure to implement articles IV and VI, which represented the 175. We in the developing countries have no atomic weapons, but we do have human beings, and we do nuct,~ar material under safeguards was reported for other than pe.aceful pu.. rposes. ~~...delega.tion.. therefore consi,ders that during the fonhcoming period the efforts to further improve and enhance. the effec- I, . . , ' . tivenessof the safeguards systemshould be continued. Thathas become imperative due to the prospect of a continued and rapid increase in the quantity of nuclear materials covered by theiIAEA safeguards. 182. The results thus far achieved are beyond any doubt positive. But as Mr. Eklund reminded us at oepreceding meeting, there are still non-nuclear- weapon States that are operating or constructing unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. The General As- sembly has, on a number of occasions, adopted reso- lutions reflecting a world-wideconcern in connexion with plans for the production of nuclear weapons in South Africa and in Israel. My country holds the view that it would be in the best interests of strengthening peace and security if all non-nuclear-weapon States concerned would place all their nuclear activities under the Agency's safeguards system. 183. The danger inherent in the expansion of the number of nuclear-weapon States requires that further effective measures be taken to strengthen the entire system of measures against the proliferation ofnuclear weapons, more particularly the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 184. The achievement of that goal is fully within reach, for, with as many as 114 States parties to it, the Treaty is already the most widely accepted inter- national instrument in the field of disarmament. At the second Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, all participants reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles ofthe Treaty and laid emphasis on the necessity of its further universalization. A detailed analysis was made concerning the implemen- tation of every provision of the Treaty, something that will undoubtedly be conducive to the success of the forthcoming work on the respective issues. In the context of the current discussion my delegation feels that it is particularly relevant to note the fact that full agreement' was reached at the Conference on all questions bearing directly on IAEA activities. That fact, as well as the reaffirmation of the particu- larly important role played by the IAEA in today's international relations, bear witness to the unanimous desire further to promote international co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy within a framework and under conditions dictated by considerations of the strengthening of peace and international security. 185. The strengthening of the non-proliferation Treaty can be further promoted by the attainment of positive results in the efforts to preserve and con- solidate the process of detente in the world, to curb the arms race and to proceed towards practical mea- sures of disarmament, particularly in the field of nuclear arms. The contribution of the socialist States in this regard is well known. Testimony to it is provided by the numerous constructive proposals and initiatives 188. Another successful development in the interest, of all member States is the promotion of the Agency's activities in such fields as nuclear safety and pro- tection of the environment, food production and agriculture, health services, scientific research, personnel training and exchange of scientific infor- mation. 189. With respect to the future, we consider that new importa.nt and responsible tasks are facing the Agency in preparing and convening, in 1983, under United Nations auspices, the international con- ference for the promotion of international co-opera- tion in the peaceful uses ofnuclear energy. The widely acknowledged competence and rich experience of the Agency will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the conference. 190. The People's Republic of Bulgaria supports the convening of the conference, pursuant to resolu- tion 34/63 of the General Assembly, and maintains that, given thorough preparation and organization, it will impart a substantial impetus to international co-operation in the uses of nuclear energy for the economic and over-all development of States. My country will co-operate actively in the efforts made for the success of this important international under- taking. .

The delegation of Pakistan would like to associate itself wholeheartedly with the tributes being paid to the Director General of the IAEA, Mr. Eklund, on his comprehensive report for 1979 as well as on his useful introduction to it today. 192. My delegation notes with satisfaction the Agency's record of achievements in a field of vital concern to the contemporary world and applauds its continuing role in fostering the development of peace- ful uses of atomic energy. We must, however, under- line that the resources available to it remain modest when viewed in the context of the global energy situa- 193. My delegation greatly appreciates the increas- ingly important role being played by the Agency in the field of nuclear safety. Pakistan considers that, while IAEA's safeguards have been adequate in scope, their application has not been uniform. The need for universal safeguards enforced on a non- discriminatory basis has been reiterated in several General Assembly resolutions and Pakistan hopes the the Agency will continue its efforts in this regard. 194. The issue of transfer of nuclear technology to less developed countries has become a leading problem of our time on account of the additional and stringent restrictions that are being introduced on the transfer of materials and know-how by all the major suppliers. The developing countries have to expand their facilities for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy but are finding that they have to submit to conditions that effectively place them at the mercy of the technologically ad- vanced countries. Such restrictive policies are being pursued ostensibly to guard against nuclear prolifera- tion. However, IAEA provides an effective and well- tried system of safeguards and there have been no incidents of diversion of safeguarded nuclear material to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. The danger of proliferation emerges not from those States whose peaceful nuclear programmes are under IAEA safe- guards but from others, whose facilities fall outside the purview of the Agency. We hold the view that all States have the right to develop, acquire, transfer or use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to determine their nuclear programmes in accordance with their own national priorities and interests. We have therefore observed with deep concern a growing tendency towards unilateral disregard by major indus- trialized countries ofinternational bilateral agreements on co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This is behaviour which, in our view, is inconsistent with the universally recognized norms of international law. 195. In advocating an unrestricted transfer 9f peace- ful nuclear technology on equitable terms, we fully recognize the need for proper safeguards. However, there is a noticeable attempt by the highly industrialized countries to over-emphasize the need for safeguards 199. Pakistan, with a number ofother countries, has initiated a move to expand the Board of Governors of the Aaency in order to ensure more equitable repre- sentation for. certain areas 'of Africa and Asia.8 This proposal is motivated by a sincere desire to ensure t~ttbeconcernsOftbe developing countries in those regions are adequately .taken care of by the Agency. My delesation has.·also.co-sponsored draft resolution A/3S/Lt11, wbich is aimedat spelling out the pro.. cedure for preparations for the convenins of the inter- national conference for the promotion of international co-operation. in the peacefui uses of nuclear energy. My.deleption' hopes that this •draft resolution will be adopted by.consensus in· tbis Assembly. As regards draft resolution A/3S/L.I0, my delegation supports it. 200. Mr. NORBERG(Sweden): The Swedish dele- sationwishesto express its appreciation of the work carried out by IAEA in the years 1979 and 1980 as outlined in the annual report of the Agency and in the additional ,information siven in the statement. this • See Intemation81 Atomic Ene...y Agency•. Resolutions and other decision, of the Gentral Confertnce, OC(XXI)/.584 and OC(XXI)/RES/3.53. 203. The deliberations in those various forums have clearly demonstrated how interconnected the matter of assurance and predictability of supply is with the deep concern ,of many countries, including Sweden, about non-proliferation and nuclear safety. It will be virtually impossible to deal effectively with one set of problems without due consideration for.the other. 204. It is the sincere wish of my delegation that the international conference for the promotion of inter- national co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to be convened in 1983, may contribute to common approaches and balanced solutions to the problems of non-proliferation, social and economic development, particularly for the developing coun- tries, assurance of supply and safety to health and the environment. Sweden will, of course, be prepared and willing to play its appropriate role in the prepara- tions for the conference. 20S. In connexion with these' remarks regarding the conference, I wish to mention the important role which we envisage that IAEA can play in providing assistance to that conference, in particular in its preparations. We are all aware ofthe special experience

We shall resume consideration of agenda item 14at a later date. 227. Before we adjourn I should like to inform the Assembly that on Monday, 10 November, in addition to the programme concerning the formal launching of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanita- tion Decade, the Assembly will also proceed with the election of a non-permanent member of the Security Council.