A/40/PV.68 General Assembly

Members will recall that, in accordance with the decision taken by the Assemly at its 55th plenary meeting, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency presented on Thursday, 31 October 1985, the report of the Agency for the year 1984. I propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed today at 12 noon. It was so de~ided.

I therefore request those representatives wishing to inscribe their names 0';' the list of speakers to do so as soon as poss ible. I now call on the representative of Indonesia, who will introduce draft resolution A/40/L.8. M.r. StrroWARDOYO (Indonesia): Let me first of all express my delegation's sincere thanks and appreciation to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Bans Blix, for the statement he made on 31 october, in which he provided comprehensive and clear information on the main activities of the Agency during the past year and in the current year. It is a particular pleasure for my delegation to congratulate him on his reappointment by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency as Director General of the Agency for 'another- term of four years commencing on 1 December 1985, an honour which he fully deserves and in ,.,hich we all rejoice, in view of his well-known dedication to the attainment of the objectives of the Agency and to the maintenance of its reputation as a technical, objective body. (Mr. SutowatcbyO, Indonesia) I do not intend on this occasion to dwell on the various aspects of the Agency's report, which was the SUbject of profound and lengthy discussions during the General Conference, held in Vienna last September, when the Indonesian delegation had an opportunity to state its views on the Agency's aotivities. I should like only to draw attention to some specific aspects which we consider to be important. The report gives evidence of the increasing importance of the Agency's activities in t.he pursuit of its twofold objective, as set forth in article 11 of its Statute, namely, seeking to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of nuclear energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world, and ensuring that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose. The Agency's technical co-operation activities should not be seen, in our view, as primarily consisting of providing material or equipment. More important, they serve as a means for the transfer of knowledge and technology in the peaceful use of nuclear energy for national development, of the developing countries in particular. In this connection it is encouraging to note the ever-increasing budget for technical assistance and co-operation, which has nearly doubled in five years, from $US 16 million in 1982 to $US 30 million for 1986. It is equally gratifying to note that the General Conference, at its twenty-ninth regular session last September, reached consensus on a 12 per cent annual increase in the target for contributions to the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund for the three-year period 1987-1989. The performance of the Agency in carrying out its safeguards function, covering some 900 facilities spread all over the world, is commendable. This was also recognized at the Third Review Conference of the States parties to the (Mr. Sutoward2Yo, Indonesia) Non-Proliferation Treaty held in Geneva last Septem~r. It is therefore important that the role and activities of the Agency in this field should ~~ntinue to be supported and that the credibility and effectiveness of the Agency's safeguards system should be ensured. The laudable work done by the Agency in the field of the peaceful uses of atomic energy and in promoting international co-operation in this field stands in sharp contrast to the continuously escalating ••uclear arms race, on which the resources squandered in one year alone have by now nearly reached the staggering amount of one trillion dollars. The funds made available to the Agency to do its useful work, be it noted here, pales in comparison. The Agency's long experience in the field of safeguards constitutes, furthermore, a valuable asset which could be put to good use when political will permits concrete and effective steps to be taken in the field of nuclear disarmament. Speaking of safeguards, my delegation welcomes the acceptance by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics early this year of ~ safeguards on some of its peaceful nuclear installations and the announcement by China at the General Conference last September of its intention ~o place some of its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. This can be seen as an affirmation by the two countries of their confidence in the credibility and effectiveness of the Agency's safeguards system. Indonesia is a beneficiary of the lAEA's commendable efforts to assist developing countries in the implementation of their atomic-energy-for-peaceful- purposes programmes and in the application of nuclear technologies. Thanks largely to the Agency's co-operation and assistance, we are now in possession of two (Mr. Sutowardoyo, Indonesia) research reactors which are already in operation, and are in the process of constructing a 30-m~awatt multi-purpose reactor expected to be operational in 1987. We have also benefited from technical co-operation in the framework of the Regional Co-operation Agreement for Asia and the Pacific, and have been host to training courses and some other activities organized under the Agreement. These are, admittedly, quite modest things. But to a country like Indon~sia they are important, and we certainly hope to be able to continue to count on IAEA co-operation and assistance in the further development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in our country in the future. Allow me now, as representative of the country holding the presidency of the Board of Governors of the IAEA,and on behalf of Indonesia, Poland and Sweden, to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/40/L.8 regarding the report of the IAEA for 1984. The draft resolution consists of eight preambular paragraphs and four operative paragraphs. The first and second preambular paragraphs are self-explanatory. The wording is similar to that of the corresponding paragraphs of resolution 39/12 adopted by the General Assembly last year. The contents of the third and fourth preambular paragraphs are basically the same as that of the third preambular paragraph of last year's resolution. The fifth preambular paragraph, like that of last year's resolution, recognizes the importance of the work of IAEA. The sixth preambular paragraph contains references to radiological protection, so as to recognize the increased importance of the Agency's work in this field, as a result of the increase in the activities relating to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to the question of the introduction of nuclear power in developing countries in accordance with their needs, in view of the interest shown by developing countries in the USe of small or medium-sized power reactors. (Mr. Sutowardoyo, Indonesia) The seventh preambular paragraph is self-explanatory. The eighth preambular paragraph, like the corresponding paragraph in previous resoluti9ns, refers to several resolutions adopted by the Agency at its most recent General Conference in September which referred to action taken by the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly and the Security Council. As regards the operative part of the draft resolution, paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 are self-explanatoryu Operative paragraph 3, like the corresponding paragraph in previous resolutions, calls on all States to enhance international co-operation in carrying out the work of the Agency pursuant to its Statute, particularly as contained in articles 11 and Ill. It is our hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus. Mr. RISNER (United States): M¥ delegation wishes to commend Director General B1ix and his staff for the dedication they have exhibited throughout the past year in support of the vital work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and in furtherance of its nuclear non-proliferation goals. Since its inception, lAEA has played a critical role in fostering and promoting the peaceful applications of nuclear energy. At the same time, it has served as a~ effective ·watchman· over the ~eve10pment of nuclear technology in order to secure for us all a future which holds the prospects of peace, rather than the threat of nuclear confrontation. The united States has consistently endeavoured to uphold the goals and purposes of the IABA and would like to reaffirm its strong support for the Agency's valuable contributions in the areas of technical assistance, nuclear safety and non-proliferation. As reflected in its annual report, the Agency has provided a mechanism of international co-operation in the development of nuclear technology and has devoted considerable resources to programmes designed to assist developing countries in agricultural production, power generation and medicine. At the September 1985 meeting of its Board of Governors, the Agency reaffirmed the importance of such assistance in the development of the peacefUl uses of nuclear energy. In the field of nuclear safety, the Agency continued during the past year its efforts to establish guidelines for the operation of nuclear facilities and for the safe handling of radioactive material. Delegates to the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons highlighted the accomplishments of the IAEA in support of nuclear non-proliferation. In its Final Document the Conference noted the significant role of the Agency's safeguards procedures in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. In a move which brought further support to the Agency's non-proliferation role, China announced at the recently concluded IAEA General Conference that it had decided voluntarily to offer to place some of its civilian nuclear installations under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards at an appropriate time and that it would have consultations with the Agency on this matter. The confidence which the world community has placed in the International Atomic Energy Agency testifies to the Agency's effectiveness in fUlfilling its mandated safeguards and technical responsibilities. We are gratified that at a (Mr. ~isner, United States) time when politically contentious issues plague many international bodies the majority of Member States share our conviction that the integrity of the Agency as an effective, non-political, technical and specialiZed international organization must be preserved. The Agency is, indeed, a unique and invaluable asset to the world community, and one to which the United States will continue to give it firm support. Mr. PETROVSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretation from Russian): The Soviet delegation listened with great interest to the statement by Mr. Blix, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the plenary meeting on 31 OCtober, in which he introduced the Agency's report for the year 1984. When reading the report one is struck by the thought that international co-operation in variou~ fields of human endeavour, inclUding the harnessing of the energy of the atom for peace, would be much more successful if that energy were used exclusively for constructive purposes and not employed for the development of increasingly sophisticated and destructive weapons that threaten the very survival of life on earth. The Soviet Union, being strongly in favour of using nuclear energy exclusively to serve the interests of peace and constructive endeavour, is actively working for the adoption of tangible measures to eliminate the threat of n~cl~ar war and achieve disarmament. Setting an example for others to follow and in this way contributing to the achievement of agreements on the limitation and cessation of the nuclear arms race, the Soviet union has repeatedly adopted unilateral measures as well. That is vividly demonstrated, in particular, by our pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and the introduction of a moratorium on nuclear explosions. (Mr. Risner, United States) We want active efforts aimed at reversing the arms race to be made in all areas. In this context we attach great importance to preventing the spread of nuclear arms on our planet. If more countries were to acquire nuclear weapons, the result would be a dramatic destabilization of the world situation, greater risk of the escalation of local conflicts to a global level and an increased threat of nuclear war. It is therefore only natural that the world community should have been expressing increasing concern over the nuclear ambitions of countries such as South Africa, Israel and Pakistan. Awareness of the danger posed to the maintenance of international peace by the proliferation of nuclear weapons gave rise in the 1960s to a fundamentally new concept in international relations - that of the voluntary limitation of the number of States that possess such weapons. Many realistically-minded political figures and scientists in the East and the West, the North and the South, were at the source of that idea, which formed the basis of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the widest ranging arms limitation agreement in terms of the number of participants. The Treaty provided the groundwork for the international non-proliferation regime, which is an important component of the existing system of arms limitation and disarmament agreements. Of course, it is not an easy task to ensure the non-proliferaton of nuclear weapons. This is understandable, since it involves the diverse interests of States, large and small, developed and developing, nuclear and non-nuclear. Nevertheless, this problem is being ~ackled and, as the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has shown, it is being tackled successfully. (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) We note with great satisfaction that the participants in that important international forum unanimously adopted a Final Declaration in which they solemnly stated their conviction that the Treaty was of great importance for international peace and security and reaffirmed their strong commitment to the Treaty and their determination to work for the further strengthening of the Treaty's authority. As was pointed out in the message of Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, to the participants in the Conference, the Non-Proliferation Treaty has indeed proved its viability and effectiveness. The main result of its 15 years of existence is that no new nuclear-weapon States have appeared in the world during that period. It has now become an established view that the Non-Proliferation Treaty meets the fundamental interests of all countries equally. That is evidenced by the fact that there are now over 130 parties to the Treaty. We have noted with satisfaction that the participants in the Conference commended the important unilateral action taken by the Soviet union, namely, the moratorium on any nuclear explosions, effective as of 6 August. We have announced that our moratorium will remain in effect until 1 January 1986, but it will continue - and I want to stress this - even beyond that date if the United States, for its part, responds to our positive initiative by refraining from carrying out nuclear tests. One of the important results of the Conference is the urgent appeal to the Soviet Union, the united States and Great Britain for the resumption this year of the tripartite negotiations on the complete prohibition of nuclear-weapon tests and the appeal to all nuclear-weapon States to take part in the negotiations on this issue at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament as a matter of greatest urgency. (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) As for the Soviet Union, it is ready to start such negotiations immediately, either on a trilateral or multilateral basis, proceeding from its determination to terminate the arms race on Earth and prevent it in space, to limit and reduce nuclear weapons and to strengthen stra~gic stability. The Non-Proliferation Treaty not only contribute~ to a genuine reduction of the nuclecr threat but also provides an objective basis for international co-operation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. In this context we should emphasize the unique nature of the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Agency holds a special autonomous place in the system of international organizations and demonstrates an example of optimum combination of national interests of States and the interest§ of mankind as a whole. It is the sole and in a way universal international m~chani3m carrying out in practice the function of control in one area of nuclear-arms limitation and at the same time an effective instrument for promoting co-operation among States in the wide-ranging development of nuclear power production. In this connection it should be noted with satisfaction that the Third NPT Review Conference gave a high evaluation of the activities of the !AEA. As Mr. Blix noted in his statement at our plenary meeting, the 1l.gency made a direct contribution to the success of the Conference by submitting substantive reports about, in particular, its work in the field of technology transfe~ and safeguards. As a result the Final Declaration of the Conference reflected a number of important practical recommendations aimed at further improving these IAEA activities. The Soviet Union is prepared to do its utmost to help in the implementation of these recommendations. Control over the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the constant improvement of the IAEA safeguards system is the major area of the Agency's activities. In this connection we can note with satisfaction that the Final (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) Declaration of the Conference emphasized that: Rin carrying out its safeguards activities the Agency has not detected any diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded material to the production of nuclear weapons, other nuclear expl0f5.ive devices or to purposes unknownR• We believe that the Agency's efforts should continue to be aimed at ensuring complete coverage ~y the safeguards system of nuclear materials and installations in all non-nuclear countries that carry the risk of being used for the production of nuclear explosive devices. Owing to the limited resources available to the Agency, we favour enhancing the effectiveness of the safeguards system in the Rnear nuclearR countrie~, in particular thCh~e not parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We are of the view that control should be focused on the sensitive stages of the nuclear-fuel cycle in such countries. There rema~ns also the need to raise the effectiveness of the system of control by introducing new improved methods, procedures and technical means and streamlining the activities of inspection personnel. A great deal here depends on the support given to the Agency by member States. Th~ USSR has always believed that ~afeguards are an essential component of IAEA activities and has actively participated in scientific and technical programmes for safeguards purposes. A programme of scientific-technical support of IAEA safeguards is being carried out successfully in the Soviet Union. At present the programme activities being planned for 1983-1985 are being completed and a plan has been prepared for programme activities in the years 1986-1988. This plan calls for a substantial expansion of the work conducted by the Agency by leading Soviet organizations. The financing of these activities is also constantly expanding. The level of resources allocated for the Soviet Union's programme of scientific and technological support for the Agency's safeguards in 1986-1988 will reach the level (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) The current year has witnessed the entry into force of the agreement between the Soviet Union and the IAEA on safeguards in the SOviet Union. The first inspections were carried out in August. In this connection I should like to note good co-operation between the Soviet union and the Agency's secretariat which has made it possible substantially to reduce the time usually required for preparation of an agreement and for putting it into operation. we have tried to take into account the problems that the Agency has to face in carrying out its control functions. Specifically, we show maximum flexibility in such questions as the designation of inspectors and identification of the required inspection effort. The Agency is given favourable opportunities to develop new methods and procedures in the process of implementing safeguards in our country. we hope that the implementation of lAEA control activities in the Soviet Union will make it possible for the Agency to gain new experience in safeguards implementation and help to make the safeguards even more effective. We believe that the experience gained by the Agency in its control activities - and here we share the view of the Director General, Mr. Blix - could well be used in carrying out measures of nuclear disarmament. we have in mind here above all the cessation of the production of fissionable materials for weapon-manufacture purposes, which is one of the first steps in the programme of nuclear disarmament that we have proposed. Our country has always attached great importance to IABA activities in all other areas as well, including the area of technical co-operation. This can be seen by the constant growth of our voluntary contributions, which as a rule exceed the figures recommended by the Agency's secretariat. From 1980 to 1985 the soviet Union's annual contribution increased two and a half times. In addition, in 1984-1985 a million rubles was ad~itionally allocated for technic~l assistance given by the Agency to the countries parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as (Kr. Petrovsky, USSR) well as 150,000 rubles fo training ~,ency fellows in the USSR. The Soviet union has decided to earmark 2 million rubl~s for lAEA technical assistance to the developing countries parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1986-1988. In the same period the USSR will also expand its activities within the programme of support for IABA safeguards. During the past five years the Soviet Union has supplied to non-nuclear countries and put into operation seven nuclear-power reactors with a total capacity of 3,080 megawatts. In addition, 22 reactors with a total capacity of 11,380 megawatts are under construction. The Soviet Union is also supplying to a broad group of countries, in particular the developing countries, nuclear materials, uranium-enrichment services for nuclear-power plants and research reactors, and nuclear-power equipment, carrying out research and development, training national personnel and sending Soviet experts to provide technical assistance. We are supplying nuclear materials, equipment and instruments for use in industry, agriculture, medicine and research and giving foreign experts opportunities to familiarize themselves with the achievements of nuclear science and technology in the USSR. (Hr. Petrovsky, USSR) I would like to draw particular attention to the welcome fact that a substantial and increasing share of the lAEA budget is taken up by expenditures for technical assistance to the developing countries that are members of the Agency. That represents a clear and significant succes« ;~ the Agency's activities in the area of technical assistance that reflects the constant growth in the financial resources allocated for that igpol~ant field of IAEA activities. In view of the great importance of that area for the developing member countries, the Soviet Union has supported the proposal to establish the level of $30 million for the Agency's technical assistance f.und in 1986. We shall continue to develop co-operation in this area of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Our country is ready to share its rich experience and technical capabilities in order to help those countries that use the atom for peaceful purposes. Among other lAEA programmes supported by the Soviet Union, the programme for the safety of nuclear installations, particular nuclear power plants, is of great importance. The Soviet Union actively participates in IAEA activities 1n the field of radiation safety and environmental protection. We support the establishment within the Agency of the information system on incidents involving nuclear power plants, which makes it possible to use more efficiently international experience regarding the operation of nuclear-power reactors. We continue to support the Agency's activities in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion. As far back as 1956 our country proposed to unite the efforts of various countries of the world in order to achieve that goal. It is on the initiative of the Soviet Union that joint work has been going on since 1978, under lAEA auspices, with the United States, Japan and a number ~f European countries, on the International Tokomak Reactor (INTOR) international thermonuclear reactor project based on the Tokomak plant developed by Soviet scientists and (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) engineers. At present, work is being completed on the stage of the scientific feasibility study for such a reactor and the preliminary drafting. However, in order to begin the practical development of thermonuclear reactors it is first necessary to test the technologies, many of which border on the limits of modern technological capabilities. That calls for the building of an experimental reactor and gaining experience in its operation. Transition to the stage of technical design and the building of an experimental reactor requires a political decision at the governmental level by the countries participating in INTOR. With the precise goal of setting our joint research on the road to obtaining a practically inexhaustible source of energy, Mikhail Gorbachev, during his recent visit to France, raised the possibility of further joint development of this project. That would make it possible to lay the groundwork more rapidly for thermonuclear-powe~production and to take a significant step towards solving the global energy problem. The realization of that project would help to provide for mankind's energy fo~ the foreseeable future. It woulu be clean energy, since thermonuclear-fusion power production will have the least impact on the environment of all sources of energy. It is ~lso important that work on thos~ lines should not result in expanding nuclear-weapons capabilitip.s. In contrast to the plans for using modern technologies for mili.tary purposes, the Soviet Union, faithful to its position of principle, is proposing an exclusively peaceful, humane initiative that is in the interests of all countries and peoples. This is the approach of the Soviet Union to the issue of ensuring that the lAEA can implement its dual task of further strengthening the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoting international co-operation in the peaceful uses of the atom. As in the past, the Soviet Union will continue to support the Agency in every possible way in carrying out its functions, inclUding (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) the achievement of the priority goals set forth in the Agency's report and in the 9tatement made by the Director General, Mr. Blix, in presenting the report. In the context of the question of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, I would like to address another matter. The Soviet Union wishes to see a successful outcome to the united Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, and is actively participating in its preparation. ~e note that the Agency is actively carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to it by the General Assembly in connection with that Conference, which is called on to examine ways of furtl'a~r expanding co-operation in the nuclear field under the conditions of the non-proliferation regime. The Agency's experience in organizing co-operation and its knowledge of developments in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy will be useful to the participants in the Conference and will help in finding a correct approach to the tasks facing the Conference. In conclusion, the Soviet delegation wishes to state that, in assessing the Agency's report for the year 1984, it shares the view of those delegations that have commended the report. In this context we would like to express our appreciation to the Director General, Mr. Blix, and to the staff of the IAEA Secretariat for their effective and fruitful work over the past year, and we wholeheartedly congratulate Mr. Blix on the occasion of his election to a new term in the responsible position of Director General of the Agency. The Soviet delegation is convinced that he will continue to provide successful leadership for the Secretariat and that the Agency will continue to be a reliable instrument in the development of international co-operation related to the peaceful uses of atomic energy in conditions of consistently ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. (Mr. Petrovsky, USSR) Mr. RUCIE (Gerll8n DelllOCratic Repu~lic): My delegation followed with great interest the introductory statement made the other day by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (lAEA) and would like to commend the lAEA on its effective and fruitful efforts made during the past year. May I, on behalf of ray delegation, extend the congratulations of the German Democratic Republic to Dr. Blix on his re-election for another four-year period. The IAEA report for 1984, like previous reports, comprehensively reflects the multifaceted activities of that international body and testifies to the Agency's role as a reliable instrument 1n the development of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy while consistently ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The report wee presented shortly after the successful conclusion of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We are greatly s~tisfied that the participants in that Conference unanimously adopted the Final Declaration, aimed at further strengthening the international regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In view of the present complicated and tense situation, it is of great value that it was possible to agree on a document that deals with issues directly connected with the maintenance of peace, reducing the threat of a nuclear war and curbing the nuclear arms race. We are most satisfied that, in the document, States parties to the NPl' emphasized the role of the Treaty as regards international peace and security, declared their continued support for its objectives and reaffirmed their determination to promote its implementation and further to enhance its authority. In this regard, the Conference underlined the importance of universal accession to the Treaty as the best way of strengthening barriers against proliferation, and urged all States not parties to the Treaty to accede to it. In this context, grave and serious concern was expressed about the nuclear capabilities of South Africa and Israel. The German Democratic Republic fully supports the legitimate appeals of the African and Arab countries directed at South Africa and Israel to accede to the Treaty and accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear facilities, a step that would be conducive to the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones in those regions. Proceeding from this position, the German Democratic Republic at the twenty-ninth regular session of the General Conference of IAEA supported resolution GC/XXIX/767, which calls upon all member States that have not yet done so to halt all nuclear co-operation with the racist regime of South Africa, to end any (Mr. Hucke, German Democratic Republic) transfer of fissionable materials and technology, to refrain from extending directly or indirectly to South Africa any nuclear facilities and to stop all purchases of uranium from SOuth Africa as well as all purchases of Namibim uranius. As far as the safe development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is concerned, the German Democratic Republic has rePeatedly stressed the necessity for urgent measures to prevent armed attacks against such installations. It was in this spirit that my country supported the resolution adopted by the General Assembly a few days ago entitled "Armed Israeli aggression against the Iraqi nuclear installations and its grave consequences for the established international system concerning the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the non-prolif~rationof nuclear weapons and international peace and security". My delegation strongly endorses the request contained in operative paragraph 3 of that resolution that IAEA consider additional measures effectively to ensure that Israel undertakes not to attack or threaten to attack peaceful nuclear facilities in Iraq or elsewhere. The German Democratic Republic wishes to see the NPT implemented in al-l its parts. It attaches special importance to the implementation of article VI, which would not only strengthen the Treaty itself but also serve the best interests of international peace and security. Jointly with the overwhelming majority of parties to the Treaty, the German Democratic Republic at the Third Review Conference advocated a programme of effective measures aimed at achieving these goals. We are most gratified, therefore, that the Final Declaration has given priority to urgent negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty, a moratorium on all nuclear explosions, and a freeze on all nuclear weapons in quantitative and qualitative terms • Together with many other States, ray country welCOlles the unilateral Soviet IIOratoriulI on all nuclear expl08ians and the SOviet Union's readiness for comprehensive test-ban negotiations and a nuclear freeze. It is our hope that the other nuclear-weapon States concerned wUl review their positions and live up to their responsibilities as depositaries of the NPT. . The COnference expressed its concern at the danger that the arms race would be extended into cuter space. That development would indeed have devastating consequences for all mankind. Therefore my delegation whole-heartedly supports the proposal submitted by the Soviet Union at the fortieth session of the General Assembly for preventing an arms race in space and promoting the peaceful uses of space. we think that IAEA could serve as a good example for the establishment of an international organization to deal with the peaceful uses of outer space as proposed by the SOViet Union. The Review Conference reaffirmed that, together with the non-proliferation commitments contained in the NPT, lAEA safeguards are not only crucial for international peace and security but also essential for peaceful co-operation in the nuclear field. At the Conference, the German Democratic Republic, together with other socialist countries, submitted a set of proposals to strengthen the Agency's safeguards. They have been largely reflected in the relevant part of the Final Declaration. At the same time the Conference commended the Agency on its implementation of safeguards in conformity with the Treaty, and emphasized the significance of continued improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of lAEA safeguards. Por its part, the German Democratic Republic supports with practical measures the Agency's efforts to imprcwe the training of inspectors. In 1985 my country conducted two training courses for newly recruited inspectors and one course for safeguard trainees from developing countries. My delegation welcomes the conclusion of the safeguards Agreement between the USSR and IAEA, which entered into force in June 1985. This step not only promotes confidence":building and adds to the authority of the Agency's safeguards system, but will also allow the Agency to acquire further experience in the practical implementation of safeguards, thereby helping to enhance their effectiveness. It is gratifying to note that the People's Republic of China has announced its intention to place some of its civilian nuclear installations under lAEA safeguards at an appropriate time, and will have consultations with the Agency on this matter • ... " .' . The German Democratic Republic favours the development of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and actively supports the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in this regard. In the Committee on Assurances of Supply my country is striving for the establishment of an international system on assured nuclear supplies based on the principle of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as the necessary prerequisite for international co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The successful outcome of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in our opinion creates favourable conditions for the United Nations Conference on International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, at which the Agency will have to play an important role. My delegation expresses its satisfaction at the progress in the preparations for that Conference and its hope that it will achieve its goal - that is, the promotion of international co-operation in accordance with non-proliferation commitments. My Government takes a firm position on the role of nuclear power in meeting increasing energy needs. Our national nuclear power programme will be implemented consistently. With regard to regulatory activities, my delegation would like to inform the Assembly that the new ordinance concerning the implementation of atomic safety and radiation protection entered into force in the German Democratic Republic early this year. It covers all aspects of nuclear safety, nuclear safeguards and physical protection. Since it pays particular attention to the physical protection of nuclear facilities and fissionable materials, my country takes the view that the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material could be an additional tool in (Mr. Hucke, German Democratic Republic) preventing the misuse of nuclear material and that therefore all States that have not yet done so should accede to it. The report shows that IAEA has, as in previous years, done a commendable job in the field of technical assistance. My country, as a member of the Board of Governors, will assist the Agency in every way in its efforts to enhance its effectiveness in this field even further. It will contribute its share to the target sum of voluntary contributions and, in addition to supplying equipment and materials, it will provide training for scientists from developing countries. My delegation expresseg its confidence that the International Atomic Energy Agency will stUdy the various specific recommendations of the Third Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty with regard to the Agency's activities and the improvement and strengthening of its capabilities and effectiveness in contributing to the peaceful use of the atom. The German Demcratic Republic will continue to assist the Agency in all efforts in this area. Draft resolution A/40/L.8 has my country's support. Mr. DIEM (Austria): Allow me first of all to express our appreciation to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. B1ix, for his lucid and comprehensive introduction of the report of the Agency for the year 1984 and to congratulate him on his reappointment as Director-General for another term. It goes without saying that, as host country of the IAEA, Austria attaches the greatest importance to the Agency, which over the years has become an indispensable institution of the world. With its main function of preventing the misuse of nuclear material, on the one hand, and promoting the manifold possibilities for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful aims, on the other, the IAEA not only fulfils an important peace-keeping function but also promotes international co-operation• As the future development of the world economy will warrant more efficient use of non-conventional .forms of energy, the role of the IAEA in the maintenance of peace and the promotion of economic progress will increase. Austria, for its part, will continue its policy of supporting all efforts that would strengthen the Agency's capability in meeting these growing challenges. We have noted with interest that in 1984 34 nuclear power plants went into operation in 13 countries, bringing the total to nearly 350. These nuclear power plants represent 13 per cent of the world-wide electricity generating capacity. Last year saw the largest annual increase in new nuclear power plants since the large-scale deployment of nuclear plants in the early 1970s. However, in 1984 construction on only 16 nuclear plants started, whereas orders for 14 nuclear power plants were cancelled. This reflects the relatively moderate growth of demand for electricity due to a more rational public attitude towards energy consumption as well as the international economic situation. Under these conditions nuclear capacity installed by 1990 will be considerably lower than was projected even two years age. Public attitudes regarding nuclear energy also have decisive repercussions on national energy concepts and the pace of their realization. Although now constituting one eighth of the world's total electricity generating capacity, nuclear power still has a rather negative image and is not generally accepted by the pUblic. Public acceptance depends to a large degree on the amount and quality of information available to the public, as the public will accept policy decisions only if it has access to all relevant information. Austria welcomes the decision taken by the General Assembly at its last session in resolution 39/74 to convene in Geneva a United Nations Confer~nce for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. The sixth session of the Preparatory Committee for that Conference, which is now undel' way in Vienna, with the valuable assistance of the lAEA, which is highly appreciated by Austria, will certainly provide a sound basis for the co~struetive outcome of this essential Conference, in which the Austrian Government takes great interest. The year 1984 marked the twentieth anniver~ary of the joint FAO/IAEA Division of Isotor and Radiation Applications of Atomic Energy for Food and Agricultural Development. Austria highly appreciates the activities of this Division, which are of ever growing impo:o~nce given the serious crises agriculture and animal husbandry undergo in various parts of our planet. In this regard we fully endor&e the Agency's placing ~mphasi~ on its programme on hunger in A~rica with a view to contributing on a long-term basis to the continuing efforts of the United Nations for that part of t;~~t~ world. Allow me to comment briefly on the Agency's safeguards system. The main objective of the Agency's verification system is the creation of confidence among States with a view to guaranteeing that all nuclear activities under the system are serving peaceful purposes only. As an organization charged with the task of preventing ~e misuse of nuclear material, the Agency fulfils an important confidence-building and peace-keeping task. The creation of confidence in such a highly sensitive area as nuclear technology is a prerequisite for the development of the technology for peaceful purposes. In our view, such an effective system of verificati~n measures is essential in providing a more fruitful climate for the prorootion of nuclear energy. we note therefore tdth appreciation in the re~:ort that at the end of 1985, 163 safeguard agreements were in force with 95 States, and we register the fact that a safeguards agreement between the Soviet Union and the IAEA entered into force on 10 June 1985. Austria has always supported the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the field of safeguards and is well aware of the essential contribution which the organization is making to peace on earth. In this respect we would restate our position that the allocation of the necessary budget funds for this highly important task should not be the objective of competitive demands. As far as nuclear safety is concerned, we note with satisfaction that in 1984 no major accidents in any nuclear plant, which could have endangered human health or the environment, were registered. As Austria is aware of the problem of nuclear safety, it supports the proposal to set up an international nuclear safety advisory group which would consider current nuclear safety issues and thus provide a forum for an exchange of pertinent information. Barely five weeks ago the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Non-Proliferation-Treaty (NPr) ended in Geneva in a constructive spirit. My delegation has noted with appreciation that the Review Conference concluded that the IAEA safeguards activities had not impeded the scientific, technological and economic development of the parties or global co-operation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as had been anticipated by some. The NPT has not hampered development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy but has even served to promote them. The Review Conference coJlll1ended the Agency for the successful operation of its technical assistance and co-operation programmes and its establishment of a mechanism to permit the channelling of extra-budgetary funds to a wide variety of projects in developing States parties to the Treaty. The Austrian Government is convinced that the IAEA, in administering the system of verification for the non-proliferation regime, fulfils an essential task for the international community and eerves the cause of world peace and the survival of mankind. The promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in developing countries through technical assistance and co-operation is one of the most important tasks of the lAEA. As the role of the Agency in this field will constantly grow, thus allowing developing countries to enjoy the benefits of well-established applications of nuclear energy, my delegation appreciates the substantial increases in the resources made available for the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund. The contribution of the IAEA is important not only for developing countries but for a whole range of medium-sized and smaller countries, which can gain the full benefits of the peaceful atom only in the framework of international co-operation. In conclusion, let me reiterate that Austria, as host country to the IAEA, will spare no effort to facilitate the Agency's task and to contribute to the speedy and efficient solution of any problem that.way arise. I should also like to take this opportunity to express our profound appreciation of the exemplary co-operation and assistance which exists between.the IAEA and my country. Mr. TOMASZEWSKI (Poland): At the outset, let me express our gratitude to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Hans Blix, for his able introduction of the report of the Agency for. the year 1984. I should also like ~o take this opportunity to emphasize once again the importance that Poland attaches to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and its commitment to the Agency's principles and objectives. As it approaches its thirtieth anniversary, the Agency can justly claim that it has gained unequivocal international recognition and that its activities during all these years have fully confirmed the necessity for its establishment. It is rather fascinating that the Agency, in the report we have before us, informs us that there are already two countries in the world, compared to one last year, that are producing more than 50 per cent of their electricity from nuclear-power plants, that the new nuclear-power plants installed during the year covered by the report have increased the world's nuclear capacity by 17 per cent and that during that period - that is, during 1984 - the nuclear-power plants accounted for about 13 per cent of the total electricity generated in the world. Poland traditionally extends its support to the main areas of activities of the Agency. First, it supports the Agency's function of strengthening the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as an important component of the system of measures aimed at preserving peace and creating confidence between States. In this connection, my delegation would like to note the fact that this year the General Conference of the Agency took place immediately after the successful Third Review Conference, in Geneva, of the Parties to the Try on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, during which high appreciation of the work of the Agency was expressed. It is also worth noting that it was the Agency which contributed significantly to the preparation and to the work of the Thlrd Review Conference. My delegation would like to stress that the NPT, which is now 15 years old, constitutes one of the most iJlP)rtant international agreemer~ts limiting nuclear armament. The role played by lAEA in controlling this is no doubt one of the most important tasks of the Agency, which is fUlfilling that task in an exemplary manner. secondly, we support its function of promoting broad international co-operation in the uses of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The positive role of the Agency in this field is universally recognized. My delegation believes in this connection that, like the contribution made by the Agency to the preparation of the NPT Review ConferenCl:!, it will also make a substantial contribution to the preparation of the united Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy which is to convene in November 1986, in Geneva, as decided by the General Assembly in its resolution 39/74. Lastly, we support its function of multiple applications of radiation technology and nuclear methods, particularly in agriculture, health protection and scientific research, areas in which nuclear energy is widely used in my own country. Poland attaches particular importance to several aspects of the Agency's numerous activities. The first is the work of the operational safety review teams, which were initiated only two years ago and which, at the request of member States, are reviewing and assessing all aspects of the safe operation of nuclear power plants. we consider it important that this new aspect of the Agency's activi ties may, at the same time, reinforce the role and the standard of work of national organs of nuclear safety. The second aspect is the incident reporting system. Poland advocated the establishment of that system and considers that it can become a very important instrument for the cOllection and analysis of information on incidents in operating nuclear power plants. The third aspect to which we should like to draw attention is the power reactor information system, which collects a wide range of data from all operating nuclear power plants, thus making possible the best use of energy in such plants. Poland also attaches particular importance to the safeguards system. It is reassuring to learn from the report that: "In 1984, as in previous years, the Secretariat, in carrying out the safeguards obligation of the Agency, did not detect any anomaly which would indicate the diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded nuclear material - or the misuse of facilities oz equipment subject to safeguards under certain agreements - for the manufacture ••• of any other nucl~ar explosive device, or for purposes unknown". (GC(XXIX)/748, para. 332) But my delegation would like to voice its concern at the fact reported in the footnote to the above-mentioned information that in one case an export of depleted uranium was made without due notification to the Agency, thus escaping the Agency's safeguards system. May I reiterate once more our full support for all activities of the Agency aimed at strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of the application of the safeguards system. Satisfied as we are by the positive work of the Agency aa reflected in the annual report before the General Assembly, we cannot but voice at the same time our serious concern about the "environment" in which the Agency has to work. Of course, I have in mind the uses of nuclear energy for non-peacefUl purposes. A few months ago the world commemorated the unpopular anniversary of the beginning of the nuclear era. Forty years later the nuclear arms race is going on unabated and seems about to be transferred even into outer space. General WOjciech Jaruzelski drew the attention of the General Assembly to that serious situation in his (Mr. TOmaszewski, Poland) statement on 27 septerOOer, condemning the waste caused by the arms race and recalling the well-known Rapacki Plan. Poland has always supported efforts aimed at making it possible for nuclear energy to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. That is why we consider that this year's proposals by the SOviet Union in particular offer a unique opportunity. Its unilateral suspension of further deployment of medium-range missiles in Europe, the proposal for a reduction by 50 per cent of nuclear weapons capable of reaching each other's territory by both the Soviet Union and the United States, and the proposal for the total prohibition of space weapons, in addition to the earlier Soviet declaration of a unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosions, are hopeful examples to be followed. In conclusion I should also like to express the satisfaction of my delegation that Poland will again, for the next two years, be represented on the BOard of Governors of the Agency, and that our representative has been elected its Vice-President. May I assure you, and through you the Director General, Mr. Hans Blix, that as in the past Poland will spare no effort to ensure the most effective work of the Agency for a better and safer world. Mr. QIAN Jiadong (China) (interpretation from Chinese): I listened with great interest to the statement made on 30 OCtober by Mr. Blix, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We are pleased to note that IAEA has done much useful work in the year under review which contributes significantly to the promotion of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We appreciate the contribution of Mr. Blix and congratulate him on his election as Director General for another term. China attaches great importance to the development of international co-operation in this field. It has maintained a good relationship with IAEA ever since it became a member of the Agency nearly two years ago. Our experts have exchanged visits with the officials of the Agency. China has taken part in a number of specialized activities organized by the Agency and helped it hold a consultative meeting on low-power research reactors and a training course on elementary analysis in Beijing. We believe that such co-operation is beneficial to both sides. Of late, China has announced that it is willing voluntarily to offer to place some of its civilian nuclear installations under lAEA safeguards and will hold consultations with the Agency on this matter. We appreciate the welcome given by many delegations to that announcement of ours. While promoting bilateral co-operation, my country is fUlly aware of the importance of preventing nuclear proliferation. The leaders of the Chinese Government have made it clear on several occasions that China does not advocate or encourage nuclear proliferation, nor will it help other countries develop nuclear weapons. The past year has also seen China signing bilateral agreements with Argentina, Belgium, the united Kingdom, the United States and Japan respectively, on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit. In all its co-operation with other countries, the Chinese Government has taken measures to ensure against posaible diversion of the item covered by a peaceful co-operation agreement to military purposes. This stand of ours is firm and unswerving. It is utterly futile for anyone to make arbitrary accusations against China on this issue. It is all the more groundless for anyone to spread rumours about the so-called nuclear co-operation between China and South Africa. It is well known that the Chinese Government has always strongly condemned the policy of apartheid and racism pursued by the South African authorities and has all along supported sanctions against South Africa both in the United Nations and in the lAEA. Never has my country had any relations with the South African authorities, let alone nuclear co-operation. This is the principled position of the Chinese Government, which cannot be distorted by anybody with ulterior motives. Mr. STROMROLM (Sweden): First of all I wish to congratulate Mr. Hans BIix on his reappointment to the important post of Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agen~y (IAEA). The Agency's report now before us on its activities during 1984 reflects the success of his first term of office and the dedicated and efficient work of the whole staff of the Agen~y. The IAEA and its Director General will have the full support of the Swedish Government during the coming years also. The annual report for 1984 shows that the Agency continues to meet the high expectations of its member States. I would like to commend the increased emphasis on safety problems in the programme of the Agency, where we welcome new constructive initiatives. Sweden regards the safeguards activities of the Agency as one of its most essential tasks. It must be assured of adequate resources and Sweden therefore planEI to join the countries participating in the special support programme. It is satisfactory to note, as in previous years, that no anomaly was detected by safeguards inspections and that the Board of Governors of the Agency could conclude that no diversion of safeguarded material to nuclear explosives took place in 1994. We find it commendable that the Agency was able to increase total technical co-operation disbursements by over 20 per cent last year, mainly through streamlined administrative procedures. Even if that growth rate is not be reached in the coming years, we are confident that the funds available will come into effective use in refined systems which allow more long-term planning of the Agency's activities. Sweden has actively supported the programme of technical co-operation and assistance, and we are pleased to note that the Board of Governors has reached a decision on an indicative planning figure for the years 1987-1989 and thus given the Agency a secure basis for its activities in this area. We are impressed by the efforts of the Agency to rationalize and keep costs down. However, there is obviously a limit to how much spending can be cut if the goals that have been set are to be achieved. Sweden is of the opinion that allocations for safeguards and technical assistance must be increased. A further strengthening of the Agency's safeguar~s machinery is necessary to enable it to fulfil one of its priority tasks, namely, to carry out effective safeguards operations on the peaceful nuclear activities of all States. The other field of priority - technical co-operation and assistance - also warrants extended funding. Sweden is already making extrabudgetary contributions to those activities, and we urge all other. donor countries to increase their contributions to extrabudgetary funds, in addition to increased ordinary budget allocations. This autumn the Third Review Conference of States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was held in Geneva. The participating parties to the Treaty showed throughout the Conference a clear will to support and strengthen the Treaty. The adoption by consensus of the Final Document can be seen as concrete proof of that will. The lack of progress in the disarmament field is, however, a disappointment to my Government and it continues to put severe strains on the non-proliferation regime. When it comes to the review of the articles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty which are of immediate concern to the lAEA, namely, articles III and rv, I should like to make the general observation that the discussions and the Final Document reflected a unanimous appreciation of the Agency's activities. I shall on this occasion comment only on a few questions of special interest to my Government. During the review of article IV we ~oted the great expectations attached to the work of the lAEA and its continued role as the main instrument for channelling nuclear technology between the parties, with particular regard to the needs of the developing countries. With regard to the implementation of article Ill, my Government notes with great satisfaction that all parties to the NPT agreed that supplying countries should require from the non-nuclear-weapon States not parties to the Treaty the same non-proliferation commitments, verified by Agency safeguards, as have been accepted by the parties to the NPT. Sweden appeals to all countries to establish a uniform standard in this respect. Effective measures to curb horizontal and vertical proliferation constitute a necessary basis for extended trade and for widened international co-operation within the framework of the IAEA. (Mr. Stromholm, Sweden) Sweden has on various occasions urged countries possessing nuclear weapons to separate their civil and military nuclear activities and to subject themselves to the same commitments and to the same verification by lAEA safeguards with regard to all peaceful nuclear activities under their jurisdiction as the non-nuclear-weapon States Parties to the NPT. We are satisfied to note that this appeal has been echoed by many countries and that the NPT Review Conference reached consensus in urging all nuclear-weapon States to take steps towards removing this lack of equality between States. There was also a unanimous agreement on the principle of the continued pursuit of universal application of IAEA safeguards to all peaceful nuclear activities in all States. It must be a special obligation for all Parties to the NPT to strive for acceptance of this principle by all members of the IAEA. I should like also to draw attention to the positive comments made during the Agency's General Conference this year with regard to the steps already taken by the Conference on Disarmament concerning the protection of nuclear installations devoted to peaceful purposes against armed attacks - resolution GC 768. Let me in thiq context also recall the appeal for co-operation by all States, made by the Third Review Conference of the NPT, in the speedy conclusion of the work being carried out by the Conference on Disarmament. In conclusion I should like to reiterate my Government's full support for the International Atomic Energy Agency. Sweden is a sponsor of draft resolution A/40/L.8, which constitutes the Assembly's action on the report of the Agency. It is our sincere hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus. Mr. KEISALO (Finland): The delegation of Finland wishes to commend the Director General and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their efficient performance in 1984. We should like also to thank the Director General for the interesting and clear introduction of the Agency's report on its work in (Mr. Stromholm, Sweden) 1984. We welcome the re-election of Mr. Hans Blix as the Director General of the Agency. The Government of Finland notes with satisfaction that the Agency is devoting sustained and increasing attention to the questions of nuclear safety, spent-fuel management and waste disposal. Not only are these programmes of the utmost intrinsic value, but they are also important in the efforts to make nuclear energy more widely acceptable to public opinion, which sometimes seems to base its opposition to nuclear energy on perceptions resulting from the lack of objective information.* Finland has advocated in the Agency and in the United Nations a more predictable system for the financing of the Agency's technical assistance programme. We are therefore pleased that considerable progress has also been recorded on this question. The IAEA safeguards system is a necessary condition, indeed the foundation, of all international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Agency must therefore be given the necessary resources to maintain the mutual confidence created by this system, vital to all countries. Ultimately all non-nuclear-weapon States should make a legally binding commi~ent to non-proliferation and submit all their nuclear activities, present and future, to full-scope safeguards for the verification of this commitment. At the same time we urge all nuclear-weapon States to take steps towards the separation of their civilian and military nuclear activities and to commit themselves not to divert from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons or other military purposes. In this context we find it encouraging that four of the five nuclear-weapon States have committed themselves to placing * Mr. AI-Kawari (Qatar), Vice-President, took the Chair. (Mr. Keisalo, Finland) some of their peaceful nuclear activities under safeguards and that China has announced its intention to do so. During the discussion at this year's General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency the Nordic countries emphasized that armed attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes represent a grave danger to international peace and security and are therefore absolutely inadmissible. The premeditated attack in 1981 also constituted a serious threat to the entire Agency safeguards system. Iraq has accepted safeguards on all its nuclear activities and the Agency has testified that these safeguards were applied to the Agency's satisfaction. On the other hand, Israel has not submitted all its nuclear activities to Agency safeguards. The international community and the international bodies where different aspects of this matteL are discussed will still have to devote a lot of attention both to the specific consequences of the 1981 attack and to the general problem of protecting nuclear installations against armed attacks. Yet we found it, and still find it, important to note and record the statements made by the Israeli representative in September. In our opinion they constitute a commitment not to attack peaceful nuclear facilities anywhere. The resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency created a strong political obstacle to any further attempts to carry out such armed attacks in the future. The motivation behind that resolution was to maintain the effectiveness and capabilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the pursuit of its principal objectives. The resolution adopted on the same subject by the General Assembly on 1 November did not, on the other hand, contribute to these ends. In spite of our sympathy for the Iraqi position in this matter, we therefore had to vote against it. Finally, I wish to express our appreciation on the contribution of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the Third Review Conference of the (Mr. Keisalo, Finland) Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is fair to say that the success of the Conference was in part due to the excellent quality of the material provided by ,the Agency. Mr. Ali KHAN (Pakistan)~ The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) represents the world community's endeavour to harness the force of the atom in the servi,ce of mankind's progress and development. Since its establishment, the Agency has contributed significantly to the promotion of the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Nuclear energy has emerged as 'the most viable and competitive alternative to the rapidly depleting and increasingly expensive conventional soarees of energy over the past two decades. The role of the International Atomic Energy Agency has thus become even more important than originally envisaged. Pakistan attaches particular significance to its participation in the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Agency has, among other things, provided crucial advice which formed the basis of the long-term programme for nuclear-power generation in Pakistan. We are most gratified that at their Gefieral Conference last month, members of the lAEA once again elected Pakistan to its Board of Governors. I wish to take this opportunity to Offer our felicitations to Mr. Hans Blix on his unaniw~us reappointment for a further t~rm of four years as Director General of the Agency. Pakistan commends the wise and efficient manner in which the Director General has guided the Agency in its work relating to the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. (Mr. Keisalo, Finland) OVer the past years the range of the lAEA's activities has continued to expand. Pakistan is most happy that the Technical Assistance Programme of the IAEA has increased this year to $US 35.9 million. We strongly believe that the lAEA's role in promoting activities in the field of food and agriculture and nuclear techniques for use in medicine and in the field of physical science, especially through the International Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste, are invaluable components of assistance to the developing countries. We were most happy to host, in joint sponsorship with IAEA and the ~rieste Centre, the ninth and tenth International Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs at Islamabad and Nathiagali, in Pakistan, in 1984 and 1985, respectively. IAEA's role in promoting nuclear safety all ove~ the world is also most commendable. The Agency provides a forum for international exchanges of ideas on safety in many diverse areas rb~~ted to nuclear energy. Those activities should be continued on a regular basis. Pakistan also attaches great importance to the Agency's existing safeguards system, which is a -.:eliable and effective instrument for detecting any diversion of nuclear materials to non-peaceful purposes. It should be noted that during the current year the Agency once again did not detect any anomaly which would indicate the diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded nuclear material or the misuse of facilities or equipment subject to safeguards. At the same time, the limitations of the Agency in the field of safeguards should be recognised. The function of the Agency is to carry out safeguards inspections of nuclear installations, plants and facilities in accordance with the terms of the agreements it implements. The Agency is neither equipped nor competent to deal with tasks beyond that responsibility. Pakistan continues to be concerned about the growing imbalance in the funds allocated to the technical assistance and safeguards activities of the Agency. At (Kr. AI i Khan, Pak istan) present the allocation for safeguards is approximately 50 per cent higher than that for technical assistance. Indeed, since 1970 the funds for technical assistance have increased tenfold, while those for safeguards have risen by a factor of 28. Pakistan does not advocate any diminution in the safeguards activities of the Agency in accordance with specific international agreements endorsed by its member States. But we hope that, in accordance with the Agency's statute and mandate, its first priority will be the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. As is now well recognised, the use of nuclear energy is particularly important for the developing countries, where the demand for energy will increase at a more rapid rate than in the countries with industrialized economies. The development of nuclear energy and international co-operation in that field are essential components of the strategy to restore equilibrium in world economic relations and to establish the new international economic order. It is unfortunate that the rational development of nuclear energy has been adversely affected, especially in the developing countries, by concern in certain quarters regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons and unsubstantiated fears about the environmental effects of nuclear power. The resulting restrictive policies adopted by the supplier States are manifested in many ways, including the failure to fulfil valid contracts and agreements. Uncettainty about the future of nuclear energy programmes in the developing countries was further heightened by the unprecedented Israeli attack on Iraq's research facilities in 1981. In the present international context the United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, to be held next year, has assumed special significance. We hope that the Conference will reverse the negative trends in peaceful nuclear co-operation and provide a new impetus to building up the nuclear-energy capacity so vital to the development of the developing countries. (Kr. Ali Khan, pakistan) In this context let us recall the principles for peaceful nuclear co-operation adopted unanillDusly by the General Assembly in resolution 32/50. Those princi.ples af,;firm, inter alia, that: "All States have the right, in accordance with the principle of sovereign equality, to de~elop their programme for the peaceful use of nuclear technology for economic and social developnent, in conformity with their priorities, interests and needs·. (~ution 32/50, Ope para. 1 (b» The resolution also stated that: "All States, without discrimination, should have access to and should be free to acquire technology, equipment and materials for the peaceful use of nuclear energy". (resolution 32/50, Ope para. 1 (c» Finally, Pakistan is in a position to join in the adoption by consensus of the draft resolution on the report of the !AEA in document A/40/L.8. Hr. KARIN BasCR (Mexico) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Mexico wishes to thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr....,tians BUx, for his presentation on 31 OCtober of the Agency'S annual report. We take this opportunity to place on record once again our appreciation of the manner in which Mr. Blix has directed the Agency's work and applaud the decision of the General Conference to renew his appointment for a further term of four years. Resources earmarked for technical co-operation activities continue to increase and have now reached a figure of $US 35.9 million. As is reflected in the report, that increase in resources has led to an expansion of the Agency's activities in the field of technical co-operation. IAEA is the most valuable vehicle we have for ch,anelling and promoting the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. We trust that it will make every effort to implementing fully the recommendations made by the Third Review (Kr. Ali Khan, Pakistan) Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPl') .. 'l'hQ.6e recolllDendations include, ilJ.~I"J!.U!, recolllllendations to strengthen the Agency's assistance to developing countries in the siting, construction and safe operation of nuclear-energy projects; to provide assistance, at the request of States, in obtaining outside financing for such projectsJ to expand its assistance to developing countries in the planning of nuclear systems and to give greater support to regional co-operation projects. With respect to safeguards, my delegation notes that in 1984 the Agency detected no anomaly which would indicate the diversion of a significant quantity of safeguarded material, and that the number of safeguards agreements increased. My delegation deems it especially important that nuclear-weapon States should voluntarily agree that the Agency inspect their peacefUl nuclear installations by placing them under the safeguards system. Were that trend to become general, the Agency could develop its technological and scientific capabilities so that in the future it could be entrusted with verifying compliance with agreements that may be arrived at in the field of nuclear disarmament. (Kr. Mar in Bosch, Mexico) It should be pointed out that in the Final Document of the Third Review Conference of the Pa~tles to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) it is stated that those agreements between the Agency and nuclear-weapon States strengthened the non-prolifetation system and enhanced the authority of the Agency and the effectiveness of the si'lfeguards system... The reaffirmation bY the NPT Review Conference of the value to collective security of the IAEA safeguards system should promote, not curb, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We shall then be in a better position to comply with the provision in article IV of the treaty, that is, "to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear :nergy". (resolution 2373 (XXII), annex) Next year the united Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy is to be held. We hope that that Conference will make a significant contribution so that IAEA may "speed up and enhance the contribution of atomic energy to the peace, health and prosperity of the whole world". Mr. KOSTOV (Bulgaria): The delegation of the People's Republic of Bulgaria has studied closely the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 1984. We also followed with interest the competent and lucid introductory statement of the Director General of IAEA, Mr. Blix, and I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his well-deserved re-election. My delegation fully shares the opinion that the report and the statement give a full and convincing account of the active and fruitful activities of the Agency in all fields within its purview. (Mr. Marin Bosch, Mexico) The year under consideration provided a new confirmation of the e~tremely important role of the Agency in co-ordinating the efforts of States to avoid the danger of further proliferation of nuclear weapons and in ensuring wider application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The success achieved in these two tasks acquires even greater importance against the background of the continuing arms race, particularly the nuclear-arms race, and the growing threat of a nuclear catastrophe, which has assumed new dimensions with the prospect of the spreading of the arms race i~to outer space. Under such conditions the proliferation of nuclear-weapons would dramatically destabilize the international situation, accelerate the nuclear-arms race and exacerbate the threat of a nuclear war. The ambitions of some States located in regions of conflicts and tensions and following aggressive policies to acquire nuclear weapons, especially South Africa and Israel, have provoked justified conce~n. We regard the strengthening and functioning of the safeguards system as an area of overriding importance in the activities of the Agency. This was illustrated also by the recent Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is an encouraging fact that States participating in the Confer.ence unanimously reiterated their conviction that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was of major importance in strengthening international peace and security. As a basic element of the Treaty, the IAEA safeguards play a key role in averting the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices and in providing assurances that States will comply with their obligations under the Treaty. Thus they are conducive to fostering confidence and a sense of security among States. The significant role played by the safeguards system has (Mr. Kostov, BUlgaria) been underlined by the conclusion in paragraph 8 of the Final Document of that Conference that -IAEA in carrying out its safeguards activities has not detected any diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded material to the production of nuclear weapons, other nuclear e~plosive devices or to purposes unknown-. Another important conclusion is that the safeguards activities of ~ have not hampered the economic, scientific or technological development of the parties to the Treaty or international co-operation in peaceful nuclear activities. These and other conclusions of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are of paramount importance. They have also found concrete reflection in the report of lAEA for 1984. The People's Republic of Bulgaria supports the appeal to all States which have not done so to accede to the Treaty with a view to making it one of universal character. We will continue to contribute to strengthening the control activities of the Agency and to enhancing the effectiveness of its safeguards system. In this respect, the Convention on the Physical Protection of nuclear Material is of major importance. As is well known, the People's Republic of Bulgaria acceded to the Convention in 1984. The ratification of the Convention by other States and its early entry into force would contribute considerably to strengthening the non-proliferation regime. lAEA has had significant success in promoting the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and in fostering co-operation among States in this field. We are satisfied that the Agency's technical co-operation programme was successfully carried out in 1984 also. As the lAEA report notes, the high resource level attained in 1983 was surpassed in 1984. The total value of the technical assistance provided in 1984 was 22 per cent higher than in 1983. No less impressive is the growth of the Agency's expert asslstance provided to States (Mr. Kostov, Bulgaria) parties. This has been facilitated bf the policy wisely adopted of financing technical assistance programmes on a voluntary basis in national.currencies in accordance with indicative planning figures. The progress that the IAEA Committee on Assurances of Supply has made towards agreeing on a set of principles related to this matter is very encouraging. In order to accelerate the completion of that task, it we:'e be necessary, in our opinion, to strengthen co-operation and to take due acCount of the close relationship between nuclear supplies on an assured long-term basis and a reliable non-proliferation regime. The forthcoming United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy is expected to impart a fresh momentum to international co-operation in this field. My country will continue to take part in the preparation of the Conference with a view to ensuring its successful conclusion and meaningful results. (Mr. Kostov, Bulgaria) The People's Republic of Bulgaria relies extensively on nuclear energy as a stimulator of social and economic developnent. Thanks to the assistance and co-operation my country receives from the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries, today nuclear energy supplies 28.6 per cent of our production of electricity, which places Bulgaria sixth in the world in this category. Our production of nuclear-generated electricity is planned to more than double in the near future. As a country with an advanced nuclear-energy capacity, the People's Republic of Bulgaria has developed relations of successful co-operation with ~le International Atomic Energy Agency and has supported its fruitful activities in all ~,eir aspects. For us this co=oper~tion is a two-way street which constitutes an important stimulus for our national progranmes for the peaceful application of nuclear energy. At the same time we have spared no efforts in furthering, and have contr ibuted to, the var ied activities of !AEA. we shall continue to follow this policy in the future as well. Mr. KO~CIC (Czechoslovakia) (interpretation from Russian): The Czechoslovakian delegation has closely studied the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency in document A/40/576, which has been submitted to the United Nations General Assembly at its fortieth session. We listened with particular attention to the statement of the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Bans Blix, in which he gave an analysis of the organization's activity in the period covered, in particular the results achieved in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the most varied areas of life, and proposed measures that should be adopted in order to ensure the further comprehensive development of the organization, stressing the primary programmes in the area of safeguards, nuclear power, nuclear safety and technical assistance and co-operation. (Mr. Kostov, Bulgaria) Last year, unfortunately, international tension continued to worsen and the threat of nuclear war increased. Under the present complex circumstances it becomes obvious that in order to ensure the non-proliferat'Qn of nuclear weapons it is very important to encourage the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its efforts to develop the broadest and most fruitful possible co-operation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In this field the Agency is recognized as the competent international agency. We fully realize that the present complex international political situation has an unfavourable impact in .this area of the Agency's work. Therefore I should like to stress the positivI! significance of the peaceful initiatives of the Soviet Union, as presented by the General secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Comrade Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, during the course of his visit to France. Together with other initiatives of the socialist countries, those proposals serve as yet another confirmation of the consistency and steadiness of their policy directed towards maintaining peace and developing international co-operation. Czechos1~Jakia consistently supports the idea of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We realize that if the number of countries possessing nuclear weapons increases there will be increased danger of their deliberate or accidental use. Therefore the Government and people of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic feel that one of their primary tasks and aims is to devote maximum efforts, together with the other countries of the socialist commonwealth and all peace-loving countries, to the elimination of the threat of nuclear war. We are seeking an end to the arms race on earth and the non-militarization of space, regardless of whatever weapons might be involved. In this connection, in our view paragraphs 40 and 45 of the IAEA report are of special significance. In this connection we are convinced that the creation of nuclear-free zones is very important for all areas of the world. We view-the (Mr. Kovacic, Czechoslovakia) creation of such zones as a positive contribution to the gradual liquidation of all nuclear weaponsc Above all we consider that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the safeguards it contains, whose observation and implementation is the responsibility of the IAEA, are of great importance. Therefore, it was with a deep sense of responsibility that we undertook the preparation of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclem:- weapons. Today we can express our satisfaction at the positive results achieved at that important Conference. we fully support the decisions of the Conference, and we feel that, from the point of view of a number of participants, that Treaty is the 1IOSt universal legal document in the area of arms limitations. Therefore we must seek ways of inducing other countries to accede to the Treaty, particularly countries with developed nuclear programmes. In connection with the strengthening of safeguards, we value the ag~eement concluded between the USSR and the !AEA on safeguards, on the basis of which inspections have .~J;eady been conducted on SOviet peaceful nuclear installations. We also welcome the readiness expressed by the people's Republic of China at the twenty-ninth General Conference of the IAEA to place under Agency safeguards voluntarily certain of its nuclear installations and at the same time to conduct consultations with the Aqency on this matter. This approach of States to questions of control of nuclear installations and materials is, as we see it, the path that must be followed in order gradually to place under such control all types of nuclear activities. In this respect we also rely on the statements made by ~ade Gorbachev during his recent visit to Paris. We fully agree with the resolution of the twenty-ninth General Conference of the IAEA numbered 29/762, and we should welcome rapid accession by other States members of the Agency to the 1ll11tilateral Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear (Mr. Kovacic, Czechoslovakia) We wish also to state our opinion that the results achieved during the w~k of the Committee on Assurances of Supply show that it has become an effective instrument for the implementation of the principles of the Hon-Proliferation Tre~ty and serves the interests of international trade in nuclear technology and materials. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic fully supports, in the United Nations as well, the demands of the developing countries and their efforts to reconstruct economic relations on a just, democratic and IMltually advantageous basis. we confirm our determination to develop fruitful economic, trade and scientific and technological relations with all States that wish us to do so - and this applies to the nuclear field as well, in accordance with the principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and in conformity wi~~ the possibilities and demands of our partners. In the framework of the Agency's activities, our country is promoting, within the limits of its capacity, implementation of the technical assistance programme. In this connection, we would stress that, in conformity with a decision of the Government of Czechoslovakia, we shall contribute to the Technical Assistance Fund· a sum equivalent to the amount of our dues. In addition, we continue the practice of giving scholarships to specialists from developing countries for long-term and short-term study courses in Czechoslovak institutions of higher education and scientific research institutionsJ that is part of our nuclear programme. The experience of Czechoslovakia confirms the general recognition that even small countries such as the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic can play a positive role in so ~mportant a scientific and technical and economically complicated field as the development of nuclear-power engineering, if it places its potential at the service of international co-operation. In our case, this applies to the integrated programme of the economic system of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), which is developing activities in accordance with the international (Mr. IOvacic, Czechoslovakia) principles for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as worked out by the IAEA. Positive examples of multilateral co-operation are the. International Nuclear Information System (INIS) and the International Information System for the Agricultural SCiences and Technology (AGRIS), in which Czechoslovakia participates actively. In addition to those systems, there are o~er very significant examples of bilateral co-operation, such as the agreement on co-operation for nuclear safety. In that connection, we must stress the exceptional importance of the Nuclear safety Standards progranme, but must note that the development of that programme does not yet give us any cause for satisfaction. As can be seen from the Agency's report and from the statement made by its Director General, Mr. Blix, the Agency is now faced with tasks that are so significant that a strengthening of the Agency will be required. It is necessary to seek comprehensive, profound and constructive solutions in the fulfilment of those tasks. I express the hope that all the many-faceted activities of the IAEA will promote the strengthening of world peace and the cause of the further use of nuclear energy and technology for the benefit of humanity and in the interest of ensuring that this conquest by the human mind will never be used for purposes of destruction. Mr. SVOSOOA (Canada): As a firm believer in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Canada is a strong supporter of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and encourages the adoption by consensus of draft resolution A/40/L.8, now before us, commending the Agency and its Director General for their work in promoting the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We were very grateful for the clear and comprehensive statement made to us here the other day by the Director General, and we of course congratulate Mr. Blix on his reappointment to his important post. We were especially pleased to note his remarks on developments that had occurred since ~le 1984 report was finalized, partiCUlarly with respect to safeguards. It ;is clear, however, that there is still some distance to go in this regard., To that end, Canada also wishes. to record again its firm belief that the lAEA system of safeguards is designed to play a fundamental role in ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. May I remind this forum that that point of view was shared by the 86 countries participating in the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, neld in August and September in Geneva. As noted in the Final Document of the Conference: "The Conference expresses the conviction ~lat IAEA safeguards provide assurance that States are complying with their undertakings and assist States in demonstrating this compliance. They thereby promote further confidence among States and, being a fundamental element of the Treaty, help to strengthn their collective security. IAEA safeguards play a key role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices. Unsafeguarded nuclear activities in non-nuclear-weapon States pose serious proliferation dangers". My delegation wishes to underscore Canada's support for the IAEA as it carries out its many important functions. The continuing efforts of the Agency's member States working through the !AEA will, we are sure, enhance its goals of accelerating and enlarging the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. The meeting rose at 1.10 p.m. (Mr. Svoboda, Canada) s