A/41/PV.66 General Assembly

14.  (continu~) REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (a) NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TRANSMITTING THE REPORT OF THE AGENCY (A/41/5l7 and carr.l) (b) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/41/L.32) Mr. MAKAREVITCH (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic) (interpretation from Russian): The delegation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic listened with great interest and attention to the comprehensive introduction given by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Blix, of his annual report on the Agency's activities in the year 1985. That report testifies to the effective and comprehensive work done by the organization last year and quite rightly gave a sense of satisfaction to its members and to the world community. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, as a member of the Agency - the only international body dealing with ,he peaceful uses of atomic energy - has always supported its activities and taken an active part in its work. During the almost 30 years of its existence, this authoritative international organization has achieved significant Auccesses. The broadest recognition has been given to its mUltifarious activities to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in our world. The Agency is unique in its role as an international instrument engaged in the monitoring of activities in one of the ~~st important areae of limiting nuclear weapons. In this connection we would emphasize that the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime was and re'mains a priority task of the J:AEA in limiting the arms race. The reliable assurance of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a necessary pre-condition for broad international co-operation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. We believe that the experience accumulated by the IAEA in monitoring might be applied to nuclear weapons, primarily the banning of the production of fissionable materials used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian Soviet socialist Republic supports the activities of the Agency in establishing and developing international co-operation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and in lending technical assistance to its States members. We note with satisfaction that the programme of technical assistance ~overs a broad spectrum of areas of the use of atomic energy foe peaceful purposes, such as the use of atomi~ energy sources in the fuel cycle and the use of atomic energy methods in industry, agriculture, medicine and various spheres of science. The Ukrainian SOviet SOcialist Republic takes an active part in the activities of the Agency. Each year the GOvernment of our Republic, in addition to its regular contribution to the Agency's bUdget, allocates significant resources as a voluntary contribution to the Special Fund for Technical Assistance of the IAEA. As part of the activities undertaken in lending technical assistance to developing countries, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic regularly holds seminars and organizes scientific field trips for specialists from countries of Asia, Africa and tatin America. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic takes a positive view of, and gives pride of place to, the efforts undertaken by the Agency in lending assistance in establishing international co-operation in such spheres as the peaceful uses of atomic energy where there are insufficient efforts being undertaken by i~dividual States in solving the most important problems - for example, the establishm~nt under the aegis of the lAEA of international machinery to study problems of controlled thermonuclear fusion. The interests of all States require increased efforts on the part of those tahing part in this project in its practical realization, because in th~ future this will lead to inexhaustible sources of energy. One of the most ~portant aspects of the activities of the Agency is the security of nuclear facilities and the drafting of recommen~ations and the lending of assistance to States members in thei~ application. The use of the energy relea!ied by tht!!t atOll is a reality of our times.. More than 30 years of experience of the use of atomic power facilities has convincingly shown their viability and cost eff~ctiveness as well as their ecological purity. There is really no equivalent alternative in thp- sphere of energy resources at the present time. Further~"re, we cannot fail to see that, in the exploitation of nuclear energy, we encounter the danger of losing control ()f terrifying forces, the Chernobyl accident was a sobering example of this danger. It is well known that as a result of the accider.t people died and a great amount of material and moral damage was caused. All the necessary resources and the scientific and technical potential of the entire SOviet "~ion were mobilized to eliminate its consequences. In this way the scope of the accident was rapidly circums~ribed and its grim consequences minimized. The first reactor has been started up again and work is proceeding on recommissioning the second. protective shielding has been built for the destroyed fourth block, and decontamination of the area is continuing. My Government is paying great attention to the housing and living conditions of the population that was evacuated. An All-Union Scientific Centre for Radiological Medicine and a major research and medical facility hsve been set up in Kiev. Immediately after the accident co-operation was established with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IARA). My country invitQd representatives of the Agency, headed by the Director General, Mr. Blix. They were given the opportunity of taking a look at the situation at the nuclear power plant and tbe steps taken to cope with the consequences of the accident. The fact that they made thp.ir objective appraisal of the situation available to the world was of great significance, for now the word wChernobylW is being uttered in many languages the world over. It is pronounced in the same way but it sounds differently. In the West even the human misery involved was used in the inevitable vicious anti-Soviet propaganda campaign. The reaction to that accident in a sense became a verification of the political morality of our times. We wish to express from this rostrum of the united Nations our deep and sincere ~ratitude to the socialist States, which showed their solidarity in connection with this accident. We are scientific organizations for the moral support and practical assistance that they provided. Accidents like that at Chernobyl and the other 152 accidents at nuclear facilities in various countries of the world call for speedy and responsible decisions and co-ordinated efforts to ensure the safe development of nuclear energy - efforts not only on the part of States but also on the part of international organizations and institutes, which can play a role as co-ordinating centres for ensuring nuclear safety. A leading role in this respect should be played by IABA. Indeed, the role and possibilities of that unique international organization should be increased, its sphere of action expanded and greate~ use made of its experience in dealing with various aspects of the problem of nuclear safety. 'l'tle Soviet Union has accordingly put forward in leA a broad progralllllft for the establishment of an international system for the aafe development of nuclear energy based on the proposals made by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the COmmunist Party of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gorbachev. It has received broad support from States members of IABA. The Ukrainian ssa welcomed with great satisfaction the measures adopted by the Agency and in particular. the results of the special session of the General Conference of IAEA. The elaboration within a short period of ttme of the conventions on early notification and on emergency assistance in the ev.nt of nuclear accidents, their signature by a large number of States, and the faet that one of them will enter into force within a month are developments indicating that, in Vienna, a new approach triumphed in the establishment of mutual understanding, trust and openness in relations among States. The Ukrainian SSR, together with other socialist countries, has signed these conventions. We bel!ev~ that they will offer a sound basis for the consistent and safe development of nuclear energy. If resolution before us to those States that had not yet signed the COnvention in Vienna or New York will help to make these important international legal documents BIOre UniVeltAl. The Chernobyl tragedy has not destroyed prospects for nucloar energy, on the contrary, by focusing attention on the need for greater security, it has served to highlight the importance of safety as the only wa~ of guaranteeing reliable energy resources in the future. It forces us all to view the problem of nuclear security in a very conscientious and responsible mann,u'., We regard it as yet another grim warning that there is incalculable danger for mankind in the atom if it escapee control. Nuclear safety in our world is inconceivable without putting an end to material preparations for nuclear warfare and without the complete eli.ination of the means for waging such wars. The timeliness of the Soviet peace-orientec1 initiative has therefore become even clearer - an initiative designed to completely eliminate nuclear weapons, ban nuclear explosion& and establish a comprehensive system of international security. In conclusion, the Ukrainian SSR wishes to express its gratitUde to Mr. Blix, Director General of IAZA, and his colleagues in the IABA secretariat for their efficient and fruitful work. We support the draft ~esolution submitted by the delegationD of Pakistan, Czechoslovakia and Canada, &nd express our satisfaction at the spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding shown in the preparatien of this draft resolution. The delegation of the Ukrainian SSR expresses the hope that the activities of IABA, which provide an example of the best possible combination of the national interests of all States and the interests of all mankind, will continue to serve the cause of developing intarnational co-operation in the peacefUl u~es of atomic Mr. BADAWI (Egypt) (interpretation from Arabic)_ I should like to begin by expressing the appreciation of ~ delegation to Mr. Hans Blix, the Director General of the International Atomic Bnergy Agency (IAEA), for the detailed r~port presented to the General ASsembly on the work of the Agency that he heads with such ~istinction. I should like to congratulate him on the excellence that has been the hallmark of hie directorship of that important Agency. The nuclear factor became a part of the international scene in the 19400. It has great but divergent potential. Prom the first military use of the atom, the whole world has been warning of the grave negative aspects of such applications, especially the tremendous long-term destructive ca~ability of atomic fission when misused. At the same time, the world has become convinced that sound application ef atomic fission will resu:~ in great benefits for mankind in various peaceful areas such as energy, agriculture, medicine and other activities fundamentally relating to the development end prosperity of man. This awareness of the various facets of the nuclear factor r~8ulted in the emergence of the xnternational Atomic Bnelgy Agency (IAEA), whose Charter calls for the use of the atom for the good of mankind and prohibits its U98 for military purposes. That was the rea80n of Egypt's support of the establishment of the Agency and its development over the past several years. Throughout, Egypt adopted a constructive approach and made Qbjective proposals directed at consolidating the aims and p~rpose8 for which the Agency was established. We bave shared the international community'. awareneas of the differiag facets of the nuclear factor and its hope that the nuclear Statee w!ll work for the elimination of nuclear weapons Which, at that time, were limited in number and sophistication. We have hoped, together with the rest of the world that the work of the Agency would be di~ected towards the various peaceful applications of atomic energy and the gOOd use it can be put to in the economic and social development of our world. That has been and remains the position of Egypt. In the light of all this, we can only state, in all honesty, that the international community is still faced with the dangers created by the presence and increase of nuclear weapons in the military arsenals. The benefits which the international community and in particular the developing countries have reaped from the peaceful application of nuclear energy have not been proportionate with the length of time and the scientific and practical devel~pment of this technology. Evidence of this is the tremendous vertical proliferation of nuclear weaponry and the great surge of the proliferation of military nuclear potential to new countries and regions in the world. We also find that, in spite of the varicJus programmes for the ~~aceful application of nuclear energy, organized by the IAEA with a large nUMber of countries many of which are developing nations, the greater and most important part of nuclear application is still the preserve of the industrially advanced countries, especially in the area of the nuclear generation of electricity. Egypt considers that this fact makes it necessary for us as Members of the united Nations and m~~bers of the IAEA and its institutions to stop and take stock of the situation in order for U8 to find the means of overcoming th~ obstacles thmt have impeded the realization of our goals. We have to develop and consolidate the role of the IAEA in the international arena in the light of the developing and changing kaleidoscope of international circumstances, the developments in the area of nuclear technology, its application and the experience we have gained over the years. We believe that the international community and the Agency are quite capable of facing u~. to this challenge and rising to the level of the responsibilities to which we all share under international law and the united Nations Charter. OUr first responsibility is the rejection of war and the use of force and the achievement of security and stability in a world where justice, equality in rights and obligations prevail. (Mr. Badawi, Egypt) As a modest contribution on our part in the effort to achieve the purposes for which the Agency was established, Egypt calls for the following I first, the need to make ~XiIllWR use of the potential and capability of the lOA in the area of ,verification of adherence to disarmament agreements. We consider. that the Agency's success in the neutral monitoring of adherence by the non-nuclear states to the pledge not to move towards the military nuclear option through the operation of an international system of safeguards shQuld be an incentive to benefit further from the Agency's potential together with other interna~ional organizations in verifying the adherence of the countries to the various provisions of the disarmament agreements including the ban on nuclear testing and the setting up of nuclear-weapon-free zones in various parts of the world. This success on ~hich we should ca~italize was achieved by the Agancy in this field, through the su~rt and solidarity of a large number of Statee, including some nuclear Powers. We also call for the expansion of the safeguards system to include all peaceful nuclear facilities in both the nuclear and non-nuclear States. Egypt calls for the optimum use by the nuclear Powers of the Agency's potential in the area of verification and urges the Agency to highlight its capabilities in this respect. We also request the Agency to play a positive role in setting up nuclear-weapcn-free zones in different parts of the world. Though we believe that every region of the world has its own special circumstances we consider that there 18 real and concrete potential in an active role for the Agency as a catalyst in this vital area. This the Agency could do through a set of models for such agreements together with a concept of the procedure of negotiation and means of verification. I should like to state from this rostrum that the safeguards system of the Agency is the beat confidence-building measure available to the countries of the world in this vital area. We cannot but refer in this respect to the nuclear-arms rac~ which tbrows a dark shadow over the application of nuclear energy. Balting that race and the promotion of the Agency's role as outlined will lead to greater credib~lit, in the area of peaceful application of nuclear energy. Sacondly, the reactivation of the Agency's role in drafting, developing and codifying a number of international rules for the peaceful application of nuclear • energy in view of the extent emd .intensity of such application and in the li9ht of the experience gained by the world in dealing with this technology, and the prospects of its utilization to meet future challenges. I should like to mention here that Egypt put f~rward two proposals in September 1985 at the Third Review Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, one to organize the manner in Which the international community could face up to a situation where peaceful nuclear facilities under international safeguards were to come under attack. The proposal involves the provision of international assistance to the country which suffers such aggression, as we nave seen from experience that the consequences of such an attaek are too grave to be coped with by anyone country on its own. Several aspects of this proposal were adopted and included in the Pinal Declar,ltion of the COnference, after lengthy negotiations. Egypt welcomes the fact that the international ~ommunity, through the International Atomic Energy Agency (lAD) ~ was able to reach agreement cn two COnventions - one on the early notification of nuclear accidents, and the other on assistance in the case of nuclear acciden~ or radiation emergency. Egypt signed bot~ COnventions on the very day they were opened for signature. Thirdly, international efforts must be increased to overcome all the obstacles to the expansion of the peaceful use by developing countries of nuclear energy, particularly in the generation of electricity. In particular, we would refer to financing. In this connection, we welcome the conclusion by the group of experts set up by the Agency of its consideration of the obstacles as well as its suggested solutions, including the establishment of a special fund for such programmes in the developing countries. That was the subject of the second proposal that Egypt presented to the Thi~d Review COnference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Because of its experience with the nuclear-reactor accident at Chernobyl, the international community has at last begun to realize that we must deal ~ith the military and peaceful uses of nuclear energy as one and the same equation. We must all benefit from an increased awareness and understanding of the dangers inherent in this area, whatever differences there may be in our policies and no m~tter how great the distances between us may be. Let us all work together within the context of mutual international resPQnsibility to ensure that the International Atomic Ene~gy Agency is able to fulfil the objectives for which it was established. Mr. FISCHER (Austria): The International Atomic Ener~y Agen~y (IAEA) has for many years been the most technically and scientifically c~1ented ag2ncy within the United Nations system, perfr ning its ~esponsible and important work in a businesslike and efficient manner. The report about the Agency's work in 1985 which we have befo~e us testifies once again to that fact. And yet, after the most serious accident in the history of the civil use of nuclear energy - the accident which occurred in Apr~l this year - we ar~ all aware of the fact that thin~~ simply will not and cannot be the same as they used to be. Many of us were made painfully aware that the eff~cts of atomic radiation do not stop at national boundaries. Widespread fear and increased scepticism about the us~s of nuclear energy were the understandable reaction of the general public in many countries. In the field of energy policy, GOvernments and the international community as a whole are called upon to respond to the fact that what had up to now been unexpected actually occurred. Traditionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency's primary task has been to monitor nuclear installations with a view to preventing misuses of nuclear material for military purposes. Furthermore, the IAEA provides technical assistance, advice and training for Member States in the nuclear field. Today it is clear to a vast majority of Member States that the Agency must be mandated to carry out an additional and equally important task in the field of reactor safety, information exchange and emergency assistance in case of nuclear accidents. Austria strongly supported the convening of a special session of the IAEA General Conference to address itself to those urgent questions. Austria welcomes the preparation of the IAEA Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. Austria has already signed both Conventions. we consider them to be a timely, nseful and helpful first step in t-be right direction.. However, further steps have to follow. My country wishes the international community to address itself to some fundamental concerns, such as the harmonization of safety standards. Regarding the Convention on early notification, we feel that the obligation of the State in which a nuclear accident occurs to notify other countries threatened by radioactive releases transgressing national boundaries should have been spelled out more clearly and objectively. As matters now stand, such notification depends on the subjective judgement of the country in which the accident occurred. We would have liked to see an automatic linkage between the putting into effect of national contingency measures and the international notification procedure. As regards the Convention on assistance in the case of nuclear accident, we recognize that the modalities for such assistance have been laid down in this Convention in a somewhat general manner) regional agreements will be required to supplement this framework agreement. What in Austria's view is obviously missing is a clear-cut obligation by the States parties to the Convention actually to render such assistance. Another question that has so far received too little attention pertains to international liability and compensation for damages suffered because of nuclear accidents that occurred on foreign territory. Here too Austria believes that binding agreements should be worked out. The effects of atomic radiation do not stop at national boundaries. The dangers of atomic energy threaten also those countries which, like Austria, have not introduced nuclear-energy production. Therefore, we feel that binding international safety standards for existing and new nuclear-power plants should be prepared. Their observance should be monitored by the specialized !AEA staff. As I mentioned earlier, the preparation of the two new Conventiona by the International AtoDdc Energy Agency was a timely and significant first step in response to the new situation we are confronted with•. But a huge task in developing the necessary international legal instruments still lies ahead of us. The International Atomic Energy Agency clearly is the primary multilateral forum for these endeavours. Its aClcumlated experience is an ass~t we cannot afford to overlook. Its future tasles will grow in number and in importance. The i Agency's proud record provides the best guarantee that it will, also master future challenges. In conclusion, I should like to assure all Member States that Austria will continue to support the Agency whole-heartedly. Austria is proud to serve as host to the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We shall make sure that working conditions for the Agency in Vienna will, so far as we can have an influence on them, continue to be as good as they can possibly be. Mr. SRI Jlcheng (China) (interpretation from Chinese). I listened carefully to the statement by Mr. Bans Blix, Director General of the Inte~national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). OVer the past year the IAEA has done a great deal of work, especially in ~romoting intornational ca~~ration for nuclear safety. Last July, on the Agency's initiative, a group of 'Governmental experts from all Member States held a special meeting to discuss the necessary co-operation between States in the event of a nuclea1 power station accident. The meeting yielded rich results, in the form of the drafting of two conventions - on early notification of a nuclear accident and on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency. It took the experts only four weeks to achieve those results. That not only shows that the various States attach great importance to the question and have reached a common understanding on it, but also testifies to the Agency's efficiency. China is today developing nuclear power. Consequently we attach great importance to international co-operation for nucleD~-power safety. In the past year fresh progress has been made in co-operation between China and the Agency. Alongside the experts of other countries, Chinese experts made an active contribution to the formulation of the two conventions. China also attaches great imporatance to multil~teral co-operation within the framework of the United Nations. China recently applied to join the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and has since been admitted. China is ready to contribute to the Committee's work and looks forward to benefiting from its co-operation with other Member States. In its bilateral co-operation with other States in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, China will continue to abide strictly by its established policy of not encouraging or assisting other countries to develop nuclear weaponry. This policy is serious and firm. It is embodied in a series of agreements on bilateral co··operation which China has concluded with other countries. At the same time, China is also fully awai:e of its own responsibility, as a nuclear-weapon state, for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Therefore, the Chinese GOvernment has already had preliminary talks with IAEA about China's request for some of its civiUan nuclear facilities to be placed under IAEA safeguards. In conclusion, the Chinese delegation highly appreciates lAEA's work and endorses its annual report and the draft resolution. Hr. S'l'RULAK (Poland): The item before the Assembly today is the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 1985, in fact, however, we discuss matters pertaining to the Agency's activities during both the past and present year, the latter having been impressively presented to us today in the highly informative and indeed inspiring statement of Mr. Hans Blix, the Director General of the lAEA, whose untiring efforts and purposeful leadership we continue to value highly. Both these years have been of special ~ignificance for the Agency. The year 1985 brought strong, unanimous reaffirmation and support by the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of the Agency's crucial role in ensuring compliance with the Treaty, through its safeguards system, an activity of vital importance to international peace and security. The Conference also provided new ideas for assisting developing countries in the promotion of nuclear power programmes, and we are glad to note that those ideas are being put into practice. The current year has brought a great challenge to the Agency's viability in the field of nucle~r safety, a challenge it has fully met, setting new records of efficiency, becoming a most useful inst~ument and focus of fruitful international • co-operation and acquiring yet greater strength and authority in the process. Indeed, 1986 certainly marks a turning point towards univers&l awareness of the realities of the nuclear age. On 15 January the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the SOviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, drawing definite conclusions from the ultimate folly of the nuclear-arms race, proposed the world-wide total elimin~tion of the destructive atom before the end of this century. The proposal is supported by the now l5-month-long unilateral Soviet moratorium on nuclear tests. The meeting in Reykjavik last month between General Secretary Gorbachev and President Reagan showed that the prospe~t of a nuclear-weApon-free world is attainable, given good will on the part of all concerned. While the exclusively peaceful atom is the ardent hope of all mankind and ever more a necessity for securing its well-being, it is also an awesome power, of which we all need to know more, and we all need to do more to guard again~t its dangers. More than ever before, this truth has become known through the tragic accident at the Chernobyl reactor. It has alao become clear, as Mr. Blix has put it, that "the question of nuclear safety has now acquired a much stronger international dimension than before". It has, therefore, been most heartening to note how Chernobyl resulted in a surge of meaningful international activities aimed at learning from it, drawing all the necessary conclusions and taking action so as to be better able to face and possibly prevent similar emergencies in the future. We believe we owe it, first of all, to those who suffered most from the accident, the people and the Government of the soviet Union, to their ~illingness in providing information, in seeking international ~o-operation, including that of the IABA and to the initiative shown for an international effort towards greater nuclear safety, with the Agency as its centre. We fully share the evaluation of the Director General that intern~tional nuclear co-operation in the months following the Chernobyl accident was at its best. We consider the unprecedented swift elaboration of int~rnational conventions on early notification of nuclear accidents and on assistance in the case of nuclear accident or radiological emergency under the aegis of the IAEA and their adoption by the special session of the General Conference in September to be a major international event which has positively influenced the international climate. Poland signed both conventions and accepted them innediately as binding. We were glad to learn about the entry inte force of the notification convention last month. Of g~eatest significance and topicality is the wide-ranging soviet initiative to establish an international regime for the safe development of nuclear energy, put forward at the same special session. I should like to reiterate Poland's full support for this programme and Poland's readiness to participate actively in its implementation. Of course, we are firmly of the view that the IAEA should have a leading role in the process of establishing a world-wide system of nuclear safety and radiological protection. We would welcome and look forward to closer co-operation of the Agency with other international organizations under this system. As a Central European country determined to develop nuclear power, Poland treats the problems of safety with all seriousness. This has been confirmed by the atomic law which was adopted by the Polish Parliament on 10 April 1986. Broad safety considerations also prompt our co-operation with the IAEA in the field ... of nuclear safety and radiological protection, as well 8S our insistence on the earliest possible entry into force of the Convention on the Physical Protection of ~uclear Materials. We deem it necessary to elaborate international recommendations on the heightening of the safety standards of nuclear facilities, to establish internationally acceptable intervention levels of radiation doses and derived intervention levels of radionuclides in the environment and in foodst~ffs, to articulate the responsibility of States for the damage caused by nuclear accidents, to construct a n~xt generation of safer reactors and to protect nuclear facilities from terrorism. Important as the safety problems naturally appeared in the latest months of the IAEA activities, we note with satisfaction that it has not de-emphasized other areas of its work, which it followed with the usual sense of purpose and diligence. It is hardly possible in a statement here to refer to all of them. I shall therefore point shortly to just some of these areas. An idea which we find to be of great interest and importance for Poland, and we believe for all mankind, is the use of various radiation and radioisotope techniaues to monitor, improve and protect the human environment. It is of particular si~nificance in tho densely populated and highly industrialized regions of the world of which Europe is one. We believe the IAEA can make an even greater contribution to the solution of these burning problems by the promotion of international, inclUding regional, co-operation, particularly in the application of the most advanced effective technologies in this field. We have in mind, in particular, the use of accelerators for removing toxic gases from coal and oil-burning power plants, decontamination of anim~l food, as well as food irradiation. I should like to recall in this context the initiative put forward last year by wojciech J3ruze1ski, the Read of the Polish delegation to the fortieth session of the General Assembly on the unrestricted flow of technologies related to the protection of the natural environment. Our review of the Agency's activities cannot omit the qtlestion of safeguards operations, to which we have already referred as most cr~cia1. We note with the greatest satisfaction the conclusion of the 1985 Annual Report that the nuclear material under Agency safeguards in 1985 remained in peaceful nuclear activities or was otherwise adequately accounted for, and that with th~ number of nuclear facilities under safeguards having grown to over 500. We welcome the full-scope safeguards agreement with Albania, a non-nuclear proliferation Treaty State and the working out of a voluntary offer agreement between the Agency and China on submitting to safeguards of certain peaceful nuclear activities in that country. It will be the fifth such agreement with a nuclear Power. We hope the Agency's discussion with Spain and EURATOM will also be successful. On the other hand, we cannot but feel concerned with the total lack of response on the part of South Africa to the Director General's requests for discussing full-scope safeguards application to all of its nuclear facilities. We support the highly commendable constant efforts by the Agency to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the safeguards system through development of new approaches so as to keep up with the technological developments of fuel cycle facilities. We also note the known difficulties the Agency has been facing in operating the safeguards system, among them those relating to the acceptance of designated inspectors. We believe there is need for correcting the situation through a more co-Operative 15'~Dd of the aellbot countries concerned, we iwpe that given the common awareness of safeguardse1gniEic$oce forfton-proliferation of nuclear weapons, this as well as other problems of their operation will be so1ved through ever-closer co-operation among the lAEA's membership. POland also notes with satisfaction the continuing growth of the technical co-operation and technical assistance activities of the Agency. While fully approving the aQCe~te~ principles of financing technical co-operation and assistance, as well as the agreed 12 per cent growth of the Pund for those activities over the period 1987-89, it intends to make a corresponding contribution of its own to this Pund. Motivated by the high considerat".ons of its national security, international peace, development needs and safety requirements, POlandis commitment to co-operation with the lAEA, is a profound one. This was reaffirmed earlier this month by its Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Marian Orzechowsid, when he met with Mr. Hans Blix at the IAEA Head'1U&rters in Vienna. He highly appreciated the Agency's activity in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and expressed a desire for further expansion of our country's co-operation with the IAEA both in the nuclear-power industry and in other areas, such as agriCUlture, food preservation, medicine and environmental protection. OUr firm support for the whol~ gamut of the Agency's activities, and recognition of its central role in international co-operation for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, will be duly reflected in our vote on draft resolution A/41/L.32. Mr. MARDOVICB (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist RepUblic) (intepretation from Russian): The report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the year 1985, and the statement of its Director General, ~. Bans Blix, when he introduced the report at this morning's plenary meeting, contained important information on the activities of that international organization and the tasks Which must be undertaken for the further and more effective performance of its duties. In this connection, we deem it necessary to state our unreserved support for the activities of the organization. There is a growing recognition in the world of the fact that atomic energy is the least expensive BOUtce of energy and of the need for joint, well co-ordinated efforts for the further strengt~ening of international co-operation to ensure reliable conditions for the safe and peacef~l use of the atom. Like other delegations addressing the Assembly, we highly value the results of t~~e first special session of the General Conference ~f IABA whioh considered a broad range of items pertaining to the safe development of atomic energy and the adoption of a number of important decisions. As is well known, there was broad support at the special session for the programme of action put forward by the Soviet Union to establish an international regime for the safe development of nuclear energy. This programme contains a system of major practical measures to strengthen the scientific and technological basis for nuclear energy, which is one of the pre-eonditions for its further development. The special session of the General Conference approved two important international conventions on early notification of nuclear accidents and on assistance in the event of such accidents or radiological emergency. It laid down an appropriate international legal framework for the further broadening of co-operation among States, the IAEA and other international organizations, in developing nuclear energy in conditions which would ensure maximum security for the population and the surrounding environment. The importance and timeliness of these conventions is borne out by the number of States - approximately 60 - which signed them. As regards the Byelorussian SSR, we signed these documents at the final stage of the special session. However, in ensuring a regime for the safe development of nu~lear energy, no less important is a broad range of practical measures which would exclude the possibility of an accident. As we see it, this should be the goal and focal point of the efforts made by the Agency to secure international co-operation• In thia context, our delegation would like to point out that the Agency's expanded programme of activities in nuclear energy safety is correctly reflected in ~he recommendations made and decisions taken on this important problem and also in the concrete recommendations drafted over a short period of time on a broad range of issues, in partic~lar on improving the operational reliability of nuclear energy facilities, their system of security, machinery for the prevention and abolition of ac~idents, the stabilization of a situation, control of radioactive waste, unification of standards for security and protection against radiation, among a number of others. We support the views expressed here on the appropriateness of close international co-operation, under the aegis of the IAEA, for the development of energy reactors from a new generation of nuclear facilities on the basis of the current world-wide accumulation of scientific knOWledge, practical experience and, primarily, current security requirements, as well as intensified efforts in controlled thermonuclear fusion, in partiCUlar under the International Tokamak Reactor (INTOR) project which was developed in the framework of the lAEA, since 1978, with the participation of a number of States. The implementation of this programme wo~ld allow for significant progress in solving the problem of ensuring the safe use of energy for mankind in the foreseeable future with a curtailment of its negative effects on the environment. As is well known, pride of place is given in lAEA activities to control over the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the strengthening of the regime of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In this connection, we note with satisfaction the positive quality of changes in the safeguards programme, the great effectiveness and overall reliability of the results of the Agency's inspeotion and safeguards system and the growing role and qualifications of staff and of technical and methodological facilities. We should also note our approval of the expan~ed use of standardized computerized methods of calculation and the davelopIRent of eomputerfacilities for inspection of safeguards. At the Sllme time, we trust that additional methods to raise the level of inspection activities, as well as the effectiveness of the safegusrda aytem in the nuclear threshold countries, will be taken, especially among those countries which have not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Such measures are abs~lutely necessary. We ~Jst establish a long-lastin~ reliable barrier against the spread of nuclear weaponry in our world• ., An important aspect of ~ activities 1n accordance with its Statute is technical assistance to developing countries and the peaceful use of nuclear energy in areas of material production, science, health care, and training of highly aualified specialists. Wo find that more States are involved in those programmes and there is a constant increase in financing and broadening the Agency's technical possibilities for these purposes. All of this has convincingly shown growing support for the Agency's activities by States members and the effective active finance u~otem on the basis of voluntary contributions in national currencies - which supports the idea of retaining this system unchanged. In our mutually dependent world, along with problems of the peaceful atom there is the problem of atom for military purposes. Today's activities are such that ~~ue security has become unthinkable without the complete elimination of nuclemr weaponry, an end to its use, and the banning of material preparations for atomit' war. This desirable goal, the maintenance of peace and life on Earth, can be achieved in only one way - the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction. It is precisely that approach that underlies the far-reaching programme for overall security through disarmament set out by Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev on 15 January of this year. Its major element was the step-by-step process for the complete e'}mination, jointly and for ever, of nuclear weapons and the effective banning forever of offensive space weaponry. The implementation of that programme would provide for a beginning of a new era in the history of mankind - a non-nuclear era, ensuring in a real way, in the international situation, the possibility of focusing efforts on creative activities, which would trUly be in keeping with the aspirations of peoples of all States. A new piece of tangible evidence of the serious intentions of the USSR in achieving practical results in campai~~ing against arms, and in banning and eliminating nuclear weaponry, was the high-level meeting in Reykjavik, convened on the initiative of the USSR. Nuclear energy and various types of high-yield radiation are being used in the Byelorussian SSR in agriculture, industry, medicine and scientific institutes. There is also a plan for nuclear energy to be used broadly in electrical and fuel energy. In conclusion, the delegation of the Byelorussian SSR once again praises the high effectiveness and fruitful work of IAEA and its secretariat and commends them for the work done for the further development of international co-operation for the peaceful and safe use of atomic energy. Mr. STACKHOUSE (Canada): Following the Chernobyl accident last April, global attention focused on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as never before in its history. The Agency's secretariat, under the able guidance of its Director General, Mr. Bans Blix, who spoke to us so eloquently today, co-ordinated the timely and appropriate response to that nuclear tragedy. There has been extraordinary activity by the Agency in the aftermath of Chernobyl that has already resulted in the conclusion of two Conventions on early warning and emergency assistance in "the case of nuclear accidents to which Canada and more than SO other States have become signatories. In addition, a technical meeting of experts and a special session of the Agency's General Conference have taken place. The vast majority of States have reconfirmed their commitment to nuclear power and the importance of nuclear safety. Last week, internationally renowned nuclear safety experts met to consider an expanded programme in nuclear safety for implementation by the Agency. In the wake of Chernobyl the international community's concern for nuclear safety and those recent Agency activities are both understandable and commendable. None the less, we should not lose sight of the Agency's other crucial programmes, namely, safeguards, technical assistance and co-operation. I shall describe briefly Canada's range of interest in nuclear energy, as these activities explain Canada's commitment to the Agency and to international co-operation in nuclear activities. Canada is the world's leading producer and exporter of uranium and radioisotopes - the latter used in medicine, hydrology, industry and agriculture and will be increasingly applied to the preservation of food. CANDO reactors, with thejr proved technology for providing a secure source of electricity, regularly lead the world in performance, Canada also has an active programme in nuclear waste management. Since renouncing the acquisition and use of nuclear weapons over 40 years ago, Canada has advocated the use of nuclear energy strictly for peaceful, non-explosive purposes. Non-proliferation is a corner-stone of Canadian foreign policy, it is designed to meet two objectives: one is to promote the emergence of a more effective and comprehensive international non-proliferation regime, the second is to assure the Canadian people and the international community that Canadian nuclear exports will not be used for any nuclear-explosiv~ purpose. The first objective is achieved by emphasizing the role of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), by promoting reliance upon and improvements in the IAEA safeguards system, by treating nuclear and non-nuclear-weapon States alike in terms of Canadian nuclear exports, and by working for new approaches covering such sensitive phases of the nuclear fuel cycle as reprocessing. The second objective is served through the network of bilateral nuclear agreements that Canada has concluded with its nuclear partners. Those agreements provide assurance that Canada's nuclear exports are used solely for peaceful purposes. A clabn in Mr. Blix's remarks this morning showed how crucial all those provisions are, for he said: "Nuclear power through fission is a reality that we shall continue to live with.- All the facts bear him out. There are 370 nuclear power reactors in the world. On present trends, by the end of the century it is anticipated that over 20 per cent of the world's electricity will be generated by nuclear plants. Parts of the developing world rightly eee their future prosperity enhanced by the advent of safe nuclear power in Asia, Latin America and Afric8u as well as less developed parts of Europe. They want it, they need itJ they will most likely have it. In all this, Canada naturally hopes to be an active partner with them as an exporter. We shall play our part in the further development of peaceful nuclear energy in those areas. Therefore, we know how essential the Agency's work is. in the light of this, it follows that Cana~a is and will be a strong supporter of the Agency's safeguards operations. Canadian technical experts have participated in advisory groups, technical committees and other meetings convened by the Agency to improve those operations. Moreover, Canada established the Canadian Safeguards Research and Development Programme in 1978J its purpose was to assist the Agency in the development and enhancement of systems for safeguarding various types of nuclear facilities. The Agency's safeguards system affords the whole international community increased security from further proliferation of nuclear weapons and provides all nu~lear suppliers - not only Canada - with a framework within which peaceful nuclear commerce can take place. In addition to its active role in Agency safeguards operations, Canada has both contributed to and benefited from the Agency's safety programme. Beginning in 1958 with the first Safety Series pUblication on the safe handling of radioisotopes, Canada has shared the conviction of many member States that there is need for a vigorous international safety programme within the Agency. The tragic developments of 26 April at Chernobyl have underlined the fundamental importance of the nuclear safety and radiological protection activities of the Agency. As mentioned earlier, Canada believes also that the Agency's Technical Assistance and Co-operation programme is an important aspect of its mandate. AS a leader in the peaceful applications of nuclear energy, Canada has always actively supported the Agency's activities in this area and will continue to do so. Canada believes that the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is inextricably lihked with assurances that nuclear energy is actually being used for peaceful purposes only. It is for this reason that Canada has been an active player in the Agency since its inception. It is for this reason that Canada will continue to support Agency activities in the future. Finally, let us see how the Agency, rightly appreciated, demonstrates the way that the United Nations system itself, recognized in its broadest dimensions, is vital to the world's hope for a better future. In April of this year, when Chernobyl revealed the urgent need for international agreements on safety standards and early notification, the Agency rose to the challenge and provided the world with the negotiating mechanism that made such agreements possible. Accordingly, my delegation is pleased to sponsor and to urge the adoption by consensus of the draft resolution before us today, which affirms the General Assembly's confidence in the Agency and in its work to promote the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We applaud the Director General's emphasis on nuclear energy being used only for peace. In my country 11 November is 'known as Remembrance Day because on 11 November we reme~r all those who fell· in war. It is thus a day when we look back, but it is also a day when we look ahead, ahead to that time when war shall be no more and only the star of peace shall appear. To that end canada commits itself to the peaceful use of nuclear ene~gy. Mr. BIRCH (United Kingdom): On behalf of the European Community and its member states I should like to thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for his annual report on the work of the Agency during 1985. I should also like to express appreciation of the comments made by the Director General in his introductory statement on the main developments which have taken place in the Agency during 1986. There is no doubt that the tragic accident which brought about many of those developments will have established the Agency much more firmly in the public consciousness. It is thus with added vigour that we wish to reaffirm our full support for the Agency's objectives of encouraging and facilitating international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for peace, health and prosperity throughout the world and to reaffirm our full support for the prevention of nuclear pro1iferatione The Agency remains, in our view, the primary international organization for the promotion of the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposese The annual report for 1985 records an increase of 13e7 per cent in total world installed nuclear power g~~erating capacitYe The 374 nuclear power plants in operation at the end of last year accounted for 15 per cent of the world's electricity generation, an increase of 2 per cent over the previous yeare Many countries now depend upon nuclear power as a major contributor to their energy (Mr. Stackhouse, Canada) requirements. within the European Community a third of our electricity is generated by nuclear power. It is thus clear that nuclear power is playing and will continue to play a substantial role as an energy source. Nuclear safety is recognized in the statute as a function of the IABA and since the Agency's formation in 1957 it has been an important integral programme. The Chernobyl accident demonstrated that the Agency is fUlfilling an essential role in the fields of nuclear safety and radiological protection, not only by contributing to the establishment of enhanced safety procedures and techniques but also in responding to public concerns. In this respect we wish to pay full tribute to the Director General and to his staff for their ttmely and professional response to the Chernobyl accident and to express our appreciation of the part the Agency has played in recent months in furthering understandings, prectices and broader international co-ope~ation in the field of nuclear safety. Chernobyl clearly illustrated that a major nuclear accident does not respect national boundaries, and it underlined the vital importance of international co-operation in the nuclear field. No country can afford to isolate itself from the international community in such cases. In this context we commend the Agency for the ~rtant role it played in draWing up and in the conclusion of the two Conventions on early notification of nuclear accidents and on emergency assistance in the event of nuclear accidents. The speed with which the negotiations were completed was proof of the commitment of the Agency and its member states to improving existing arrangements. The Agency must now ensure that all future work in these fields is carried forward with the same sense of urgency. The dialogue established following the accident must continue if the international community is to learn all the lessons of Chernobyl. The Agency has the central role in this dialogue and should continue (Mr. Birch, united Kingdom) to be the world focus for work on nuclear IJafety. Por our part we shall do all we can to contribute to wall-direoted programmes in the key areas of nuclear safety principles and standards development, operational safety and radiation protection. We note with s8tisfaction from the 1985 annual report the valuable work achieved by the Agency in the nuclear safety field during the course of last year with the completion of the nuclear safety standards progr&mme, the further development of radiation protection guidelines and the work of the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group ,INSAG). In this context we believe that the recoJllllendations formulated by INSAG in its report on the post-accident review meeting on the Chernobyl accident could play an important role in the enhancement of nuclear safety. (Mr. Birch, United Kingdom) Another area which, in.recent years, has been attracting heightened public concern in the context of nuclear power development is that of radieactive waste management. We thus note with satisfaction the continued work af the Agency in the development of standards designed to assist in the formulation of national waste management regulations. We alao welcome the stimulating role of the Agency in promoting international co-operation in nuclear waste management. Turning to safeguard activities, allow me on behalf of the European Community and its member States first of all to reaffirm our confidence in the IAEA safeguards system. We repeat our appeal to those non-nuclear-weapon States having nuclear facilities which are not under IAEA safeguards to place those facilities under safeguards. In this connection, we welcome the Agency's conclusion of a full-scope safeguards agreement with Albania. The Agency's safeguards system has, over the years, become a corner-stone in international nuclear co-operation by providing, through its application, assurance to the international community that participating member States are complying with their non-proliferation commitments and on a wider scale by creating confidence on a global basis between member States. Furthermore, it is our view that international confidence in the Agency's safeguards system is a necessary precondition for the interchange of nuclear techniques and trade. It is thus with satisfaction that we note that again in 1985 the Agency considered it reasonable to conclude that all nuclear material under Agency safeguards remained in peacefUl nuclear activities. We recognize that continuous research and development activities involved in imprOVing safeguard techniques and the geographical extension of the safeguards inspection coverage are essential to further the efficiency and effectiveness of the system as a whole. We are prepared to play a full part to ensure its continuing success. The great importance we attach to the Agency's regulatory activities applies just as much to the Agency's promotional activities and especially to the technical co-operation and assistance programme. Despite real domestic budgetary constraints, European Community member states continue to demonstrate their support for this valuable programme by remaining among its major donors, both directly through contributions to the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund and through extrabudgetary and in-kind support. We note the progress made by the Agency in programme delivery in 1985 and the present efforts which are being made by the Agency to improve the effectiveness of its work and to achieve an enhanced utilization of its resources in this field. The Agency's technical assistance and co-operation programme is a useful reminder that, in addition to the power applications of nuclear energy, nuclear techniaues·are increasingly being used to combat disease and improve human welfare in many parts of the world. It is noteworthy that around 50 per cent of the Agency's technical assistance and co-operation projects involved the application of nuclear techniaues in agriculture, medicine and industry. We fully support the valuable research and nuclear physics activities provided for these projects by the Seibersdorf Laboratory, the.International Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste and the International Laboratory of Marine Radioactivity at Monaco. We hope that in time all the Agency's technical assistance and co-operation activities will have significant beneficial effects on the economies and living standards of recipient countries. Concerning the establishment of an internationally agreed effective system of international plutonium storage, in accordance with article XXII.A.5 of the Statute, we look forward to the Agency's analysis of the existing and foreseeable quantities of plutonium. The Committee on Assurances of Supply will have shortly completed its sixth year of work. An agreed set ~f mutually acceptable principles ensuring supply and guaranteeing non-proliferation has not yet been achieved. We are ready to co-operate to reach a solution to this important and difficult problem within the limits of our nuclear and non-proliferation policies'. The seventh session of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy is at present taking place in Vienna. The SUbject matter of that Conference is, of course, of relevance to the work of the Agency. We take the view that the work of the Conference should be oriented to strengthen the objectives of IAEA and to further the implementation of its Statute. Finally, I should like to state that it is the firm wish of the European Community and of its member States that the close co-operation that exists between them and the Agency in all peaceful nuclear activity fields of common interest should continue to develop. It is our continued aim to maintain the Agency as an effective instrument for peaceful nuclear co-operation. Mr. SUMAIDA (Iraa) (interpretation from Arabic): MY delegation has great pleasure in extending its thanks to Mr. Blix, Director General of IAEA, and his colleagues in the secretariat of the Agency for the manner in which they have been carrying out the work of the Agency. We hope that the Agency will continue to benefit from the experience and efforts of Mr. Blix in the coming years. The Agency plays an important role in promoting the peaceful applications of atomic ene~gy in all fields, such as electric power supplies and the use of nuclear energy in medicine, agriculture and industry, through the technical assistance it provides directly or indirectly, as well as through advice, training and exchanges of information. Moreover, the Agency has carried out an active programme to assist its ~.bers to ensure nuclear safety. This programme has been considerably expanded by the implementation of the accident notification system and the activities of the advisory groups on radiation protection and international nuclear safety. I have some comments on the contents of the report of IAEA for 1985, which is now before the General Assembly. In making these comntents, I should like to draw attention to certain auestions mentioned in the report. Under the heading ·Matters of special interest to th~ ~gency discussed by the General Assembly of the united Nations·, the annual report deals with the most serious question faced by the Agency since its inception, namely, that of the Israeli military attack on Iraqi nuclear installations under IAEA safeguards. The manner in which the Agency has dealt with that question causes us surprise, since we are all aware that the gravity of that aggression is not confined to Iraq, since it was regarded by international organizations as an attack on the Agency itself and on its safeguards system, the concept of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the credibility of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. (Mr. Sumaida, Iraq) Yet the report has overlooked this fact. This serious question was dealt with through a procedural ploy hatched by the President of the twenty-ninth General Conference of the Agency when he rejected a resolution which commanded e majority of 41 votes and adopted instead another resolution which only commanded 31 votes. Thus the curtain was drawn with utter simplicity on the most serious question ever to face the Agency, without even obtaining a guarantee that such an aggression would not be repeated. If the competent organization treats this question in such a manner, in all likelihood the aggressor will repeat the aggression since the ineffective treatment will encourage him to do so in future. While speaking on this question, I am prompted to state that the annual report referred to the relevant resolutions con~erning the armed Israeli aggression against the Ira~i nuclear reactor, but the report, regrettably, has overlooked those measures taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency to implement those resolutions, most notably the resolution unanimously adopted by the Security Council, resolution 487 (1981) and the General Assembly resolutions, the most recent of which was resolution 40/6. In order for the annual report to reflect a true picture of the activities of the Agency, it should have included the questions to which I have referred in my statement. Mr. CESAR (Czechoslovakia): We shall soon observe the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We feel gratified to note on this occasion that that organization of the United Nations system has developed into an institution of extrco~dinary significance, both in professional and in political terms. Its importance stems from the fact that it helps to deal successfully with such global tasks of the human race as the generation of power, the protection of health, food production and conse~~ation, making a notable contribution to environmental protection and to international co-operation in a number of theoretical as well as technologi~~l d]~~inlin~s. Of particular significance is the Agency's political influence. Nobody will deny the ~rtance and effect of instruments such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Agency'~ system of safeguards to prevent the transfer of nuclear materials from the field of power engineering to the military sphere. Its activities relating to the COnvention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and to facilities are also undoubtedly valuable. Its work has become particularly meaningful this year, when two significant Conventions on nuclear safety have been signed. These two COnventions constitute an excellent example of the combination of the technological and political aspects in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy as well as in the co-operation of States with different secio-po1itical systems. The report of the International Atomic Energy Agency submitted to the forty-first session of the General Assembly reflects the extremely intensive and multifarious activities of the Agency in the recent period, especially on nuclear safety. In considering this question, we have to bear in mind that true nuclear safety on our planet is tied, first and foremost, to the halting of material preparations for a nuclear war and to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. The nuclear and space age urgently requires a new approach to international relations, to thinking along the lines of new categories, because the safeguarding of security is a political task rather than a military one. Civilization is now facing a choice, urgent as never before, namely, whether it will learn to live in a truly human way and survive, or perish. The world is undergoing a period of radical review of the situation that has arisen, which is marked by the question of whether the policy of reason will prevail over the policy of force. To halt the arms race and proceed to disarmament, to create conditions enablinq mankind to enter the new century free of the menace of nuclear war - these are the only possible ways out of the present situation. (Mr. Ce~~r, Czechoslovakia) A fundamental step on this path could have been taken at Reykjavik, where the Soviet union put forward before the whole world bold, radical plans for substantial be.lanced limitations·of nuclear potential, to be followed soon by its elimination. Regrettably, for reasons that are known, this hope has remained unfulfilled. Czechoslovakia unreservedly welcomed Bnd fully supported the peace initiatives of the Soviet union and, together with the other States of the socialist community, has been actively participating in peace initiatives. We are convinced that the comprehensive programme of stage-by-stage elimination of nuclear weapons by the end of this century and repeated extensions of the Soviet unilateral moratorium on all nuclear explosions offer concrete proof of t~~ new mentality that corresponds with the nuclear and space age. At the present stage, one's attitude to the halting of nuclear-weapon tests, to the speedy formulation of a convention on their complete prohibition and to the prevention and deployment of strike systems in outer space is the most convincing indicator to reveal how each of the nuclear Powers approaches disarmament, international security and peace in concrete terms. A group of socialist States has submitted to the General Assembly a proposal to consider the question of establishing a comprehensive system of inte~national peace and security which has already met with genuine interest and a positive response. Such a system also includes the safe use of nuclear energy, both in ~~~r engineering and in applications in other spheres of national economy. We have, therefore, commended the fact that, pursuant to the proposals of the soviet Union put forward by Mikhail S. Gorbachev last May with a view to deepening international co-operation in the field of nuclear safety, the Agency organized expert meetings which have notably strengthened co-operation in this area. We have greatly appreciated the detailed analysis made by Soviet experts of the accident at (Mr. Cesar, Czechoslovakia) Chernobyl and we are convinced that the conclusions arrived at from those deliberations will have an impact on the future activities of the Agency as well as of individual States operating nuclear power fac.ilities. (Mr. Cesar, Czechoslovakia) Czechoslovakia participated actively in the drafting of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, which were adopted ~ the special sesaion of the Agency·s General Conference last September. Czechoslovakia signed both Conventions immediately on the conclusion of that special session and is among the three countries that have not made the signing of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident subject to ratificationJ the Convention therefore entered into force on 27 OCtober 1986. We consider that the results of the special session of the !AEA General Conference are useful and that they deserve to be put into effect without delay. Since the very beginning of the development of this subject, Czechoslovakia has attached the utmost imPOrtance to the problem of nuclear safety, including its international aspects. As early as 1982 we concluded an agreement with Austria on questions relating to the operation of nuclear facilities located close to the border between our two countries. The beneficial effect of that agreement has been proved, and it can serve as an example that even such complex issues can be solved in spite of differences in the political and economic systems of the countries concerned. The problem of nuclear safety is also closely related to the effective application of the lAEA safeguards system, which constitutes at present a recognized, reliable and irreplaceable instrument of international control over the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Moreover, the safeguards system also promotes the efforts to achieve the universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which forms the basis of the non-proliferation regime. We consider it important that the Agency implement the conclusions of the Third Review Conference of that Treaty, held in 1985. We are (Mr. Cesar, Czechoslovakia) gratified to note that the inspection activities carried out by the Agency in the period under review have not revealed any material facts that would indicate misuse of nuclear materials. We advocate that those States which, for various reasons, have not so far acceded to the Non-Proliferation Treaty - especially those having developed nuclear programmes ~ should also place their entire nuclear programmes under Agency safeguards. We see a way, also, to the comprehensive solution of issues relating to international security in the nuclear field in the implementation of measures capable of effectively preventing various forms of nuclear terrorism. We therefore strongly emphasize the need for the immediate entry into force of the multilateral Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, and we call upon the States that have not yet done so to adopt and ratify that Convention. The implementation of all measures in the spirit of the proposals for the establishment of a comprehensive system of international peace and security will, inter alia, create the most favourable conditions for broad international technical co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and thus also for the further strengthening of the position of the Agency. Czechoslovakia is contributing to the technical assistance fund amounts that correspond to our contribution share. Moreover, we offer both long-term and short-term scholarships - primarily for specialists from the developing countries - for studies of nuclear-related subjects at higher educational institutions in Czechoslovakia. The International Atomic Energy Agency has proved throughout its history that it is very capable of playing its irreplaceable role in the development of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and in the strengthening of the regime of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. As a founding member of that organization, Czechoslovakia has always striven for the (Mr. Ceser, Czee~slovek!a) utilization of nuclear energy solely for the benefit of mankind and it intends to oontinue that effort. We are ready to partioipate, within our possibilities, also in Agency programmes for the future, such as the developaent of a new safe reactor or broader international oo-operation in managing controlled nuclear fusion. In oonolusion, I wisb, on behalf of the Czechoslovak delegation, to join other representatives in expressing appreciation of the results achieved by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as described in the report by the Agency's Director General, Hr. Bl1x. I commend hi. for his initiative and his constructive approach to the solution of a number of complex issues that faced the Agency in the period under review, and I thank him and through hill the Agency's secretariat for their work in that organization, which undoubtedly is among the most significant in the whole united Nations system. Czechoslovakia, together with Canada and Pakistan, is a sponsor of the draft resolution (A/4l/L.32) on the item entitled "Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency". The Czechoslovak delegation considers that the draft resolution gives ,a balanced assessment of the activities of the Agency so far and, at the same time, creates good oOnditions for its further work - provided that all its member States actively join in that endeavour. We therefore express our full support for the draft resolution and reoommend its adoption by consensus. Mr. HALACHEV (Bulgaria): The delegation of the People's Republic of BUlgaria has oarefully studied the 1985 report of the International Atomic Energy Agency and is pleased to note the Agency's varied and productive work in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The extremely imPortant and responsible tasks perf4rmed by the Agency were further highlighted in the introductory statement this morning by its Director General, Mr. Bans Blix. In partioular, I should like to stress our appreciation of the valuable oontribution which the (Mr. Cesar, Czechoslovakia) secretariat of the 1ABA ana especially Mr. Bllx have -.de to the flr.t special ..nion of the General Conference and otber activities reletea to tbe iSlliilue of the ..afe de~elos-ent of nuclear energy. '1'he results of that ....lon ~re an illlPOrtant contribution to strengthening confidence in the future of the peacflful use. of nuclear energy ana prOllOting international eo-operation in ita "idest application. 'fbey not only bave reaffirMd the pr1Jlary role whicb the Agency 18 playing •• the foeus of the efforts of State. in this area, but al80 bave dnon.trate4 that, given the good "ill for concerted action, all urgent probl_ of CC1_on interest can be apedily resolved. Such goodwill is now critically necessary for the immediate adoption of effective measures to put an end to the nuc1ear-arlll8 race and avert the threat of a nuclear catastrophe. Past experience indicates that nuclear energy out of human control can be a horrifying force. That is why we are convinced that the future of nuclear energy lies only in its peaceful application. The collective efforts of States to promote international co-operation in the ever widening, safe use of nuclear energy for constructive purposes will lose their meaning if the use of nuclear energy to produce weapons of mass destruction is not discontinued. In order to achieve this goal, the concerted efforts of all States, international organizations and the entire world public are needed. The military-political realities of our time require the adoption of a new, responsible approach to international affairs. An example of such an approach is the Soviet programme for the total elimination of nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth by the end of the century. This programme opens up for mankind not only real prospects of a nuc1ear-wespon-free world, with genuine security for all States and peoples, but also new possibilities of the extensive use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The unilateral Soviet morat~rium on all nuclear explosions is still in force. This has made it possible for those that insist on the continuation of nuclear-weapon tests to review their policy in the light of the security interests of all peoples. A bilaterally agreed Soviet-American moratorium on all nuclear explosions would be a crucial step towards a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing, as the most effective measure of nuclear disarmament. The International Atomic Energy Agency can make a substantial contribution to the attainment of these goals of universal importance. The People's RepUblic of Bulgaria has consistently supported the overall activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which are in the interests of all States. The Agency is entrusted with the extremely important role of .cnitoring the i~lementationof obligations undertaken b7 the states parties to the Treaty on the Ron-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We view the objective of preventing the spread of nuclear ar_, along with the limitation, reduction and u1tiJIate e1blination of all types of nuclear weapons, as being of para.cunt importance in the efforts to°avert a nuclear war. We weleOM as a positive factor the ever growing number of States parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Del10cratic People's Republic of Korea has also acceded to it, thus raising the number of parties to 130. The universalization of the Treaty would be in the inter6sts of all States. We are pleased to note that the Agency's international system of safeguards is reliable and trustworthy. In 1985, as in previous years, the Agency detected no ancaaly which would indicate the diversion of safeguarded nuclear material or the Nisu88 of facilities subject to safeguards for the manufacture of any nuclear weapon, for any other military purpose or for the manufacture of any other nuclear explosive device. Bowever, as noted in the report, it is a cause of concern that in 1985 unsafeguarded facilities capable of producing weapons-grade nuclear material in five non-nuc1ear-weapon states were known to be in operation or under construction. The efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation r&gime should continue. In this connection, we attach major importance to the ~gency's activities in the area of safeguards and to the steps taken to enhance their effectiveness. Mr delegation takes a positive view of the Agency's ectivities in the field of technical cOC'operation, as well as those aimed at increasing and i~roving the forMS and methods of this co-operation and enhancing its effectiveness. We attach great importance to the Agency's work on nuclear safety, and we support the Agency's special programme in this field for 1986. Hr country vill make an additional voluntary contribution to this programme. In expanding the Agency's activities in the field of nuclear safety, we should devote the necessary attention to such important areas as safeguards, technical co-operation, nuclear power and the nse of nuclear techniques. The People's Republic of Bulgaria fav~';'~s the prOMOtion of international co-operation in the exchange of nuclear material and equipaent for peaceful purposes and actively supports the work of the Agency in this field. In the Co~ittee on Assurances of Supply my country is participating actively in the elaboration of an international system of assured nuclear supply based on the principle of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The entry into force of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material would be an important step in strengthening the systea of international exchange of nuclear material and eauipment. As is known, the production of energy in Bulgaria is also based on the large use of nuclear energy. In 1985 our nuclear power station generated 13 billion kilowatt-hours, which is about 32 per cent of our total production of electricity. Of particular importance in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is our co-operation vith the Soviet Union and the other members of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, a8 well as with the lAEA. In developing our nuclear power generating capacity, we attach particular importance to the problelllS of nuclear safety and radiation protection. In this respect, we have co-operated most actively with lAB. In 1986 we took a significant step in our participation in international co-operation in this field by joining the Agency's programme for accident assessment. On our proposal, the (Hr. Balachev, Bulsaria) Agency is considering a project for constructing in Bulgaria a regional centre for standards of safety analysis which would use both co~uterized accident assessment and up-to-date standards of safety analysis. The establishment of that centre with the co-operation of the IAEA would be a major contribution to addressing the topical international issues relating to the safety of nUclear energy. The successful application of the Agency's safeguards to the operating nuclear facilities in mr country is continuing. Our co-operation with the Agency on the safeguards issue has found due reflection in the contract to computerize our reports to it concerning nuclear material in my country, as well as in the contract to test for the need for IAEA safeguards new monitoring devices in our nuclear power station. In the age of the scientific and technological revolution, the use of nuclear energy for peacefUl purposes requires strict r9gulation. For this reason, in September 1~86 the National Assembly of the People's RepUblic of Bulgaria enacted the Act on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which sets forth a uniform State policy on the application of nuclear energy for pea~eful purposes. The provisions of the Act explicitly proscribe the use of nuclear energy for the production of nuclear arlllS and other nuclear explosive devices, as well as any other weapons of mass destruction. The People's Republic of BUlgaria has been co-operating with other States in the use of nuclear energy under terms which ensure observance of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. This important instrument has provided a stable legal basis for management of the uses of nuclear energy in my country, state control of this productive sector, dealing with the question of civil liability for damages, and so on. (Mr. Balacbev, Bulqaria) 1ft t,;Qnclu..ion, I aU••• tile ..jor illPOrtance whicb the GoveE...ftt of tM People's Republic of Bulgaria attache. to th1t further prCllOtlon of c:o-opeEation with the International Ate-ie BMrCJY Agency. -My country will continue to contribute to enbancing tile Agency'. role a. 3 co-ordinating centre for the activities of _libel' State. in the peaceful u... of nuclear eftel'gy and 36 illlPOrtant faetor for IItl'engthening the non-proliferation r6giu. (Hr. Balacbcv, Bu19aria) Mr. bUTT (India). We have before us the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the year 1985. According to the report, total installed nuclear power capacity during the period under review increased by 13.7 per cent, reaching 250 GN(e) by the end of year. Nuclear power plants now account for 15 per cent of the world's generation of electricity. We wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the efforts of the IAEA and its Director General, Mr. Hans Blix, for the role they have played in the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We trust that the Agency will come up with new ideas and improved technology fgr cheaper and safer application of nuclear energy for power production. We have noted that, during 1985, efforts were concentrated on developing radiation protection guidelines and helping Member States to apply them. The Agency also continued to provide a forum for the exchange of scientific information. It is gratifying that the 50-nation COnference sponsored by the Agency in Vienna, in August 1986, stressed the need for the introduction of fool-proof safety standards and sharing of fall-out data. India has made steady and significant progress in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We have a programme to produce 10,000 MW of electricity by the end of the century from our nuclear power plants. We have long recognized the many practical applications for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We are using isotopes for irradiation in medicine, industry and agriCUlture. We a~e in the process of expanding the appl\cation of isotgpes to other fields as well such as pUblic hygiene and the preservation of foodstuffs. Whiie we are doing all this within our country, we are aware of the benefits of the Regional CO-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology. Regional co-operation can help in the training of human resourcesw We should like to impress upon the Agency the need for employing the trained manpower available in the third world countries as well, On the question of safeguards, we maintain that they should be universal and that all nuclear facilities, including nuclear-weapon facilities, should be brought under their scope. We maintain that agreement, in terms of the Statute of the Agency, should be the result of sovereign volition. The basic guidelines for this purpose should be twofold: the commitment of non-nuclear-weapon states to use the atom only for peaceful purposes and the commitment of nuclear-weapon states to dismantle their nuclear arsenals and rid the world of the threat of a nuclear holocaust. India is willing to co-operate in promoting the objectives of the Agency. We will support the draft resolution before the General Assembly. Mr. CAPPAGLI (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish): First and foremost, may I express my thanks to and congratulate the Director General of the organization, Mr. Bans Blix, for his clear and objective presentation of the report. Ever since its establishment in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endeavoured to speed up and increase the contribution of nuclear energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. The Argentine Government has wholeheartedly supported this objective and has demonstrated its peaceful intentions in all international forums. At the same time, we have expressed, through our President, Mr. Raul Alfonsin, our determination to continue our developing nuclea~ programme, adapting our plans to our country's energy needs and to the current economic situation. We should like IAEA to pursue its efforts to promote the broad progressive devalopment of international co-operation in this area in a way which does not restrict the legitimate right of peoples, and especially of the developing countries, to reap the undoubted benefits offered by the peaceful usel!J of nuclear energy• (Mr. Dutt, India) Regarding the technical assistance provided by the Agency, Argentina is not a regular recipient, but we have made important contributions to the programme. Indeed, we have made Argentine experts available to the Agency and have organized courses in our country which have been co-sponsored by IAFA. Moreover, we believe that the conventions recently negotiated and adopted at the first special session of IAEA's General COnference on early notification and co-operation in the event of nuclear accidents, represent significant progress in , the nuclear field, although we have no hesitation about stating that we would have preferred these conventions to refer to accidents involving nuclear weapons. The Republic of Argentina thinks very highly of what the Agency has achieved since its establishment, and our very active participation in its activities - as reflected in the report before us - will continue. It is in this co-operative spiri~ that my delegation has read with great interest the exhaustive report submitted by IAXA. We are grateful to it for its fine work and welcome its valuable conclusions. We very much hope that these conclusions will make a valuable contribution to the dissemination of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.