A/45/PV.33 General Assembly

14.  (gontipued) REPORT OF '.rBE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGEN~' (a) NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TRANSMITTING THE REPORT OF TBEAGENCY (A/45/371) (b) DRAFr RESOLUTION (A/45/L.9) MOC. ZAFAB-VL-BAQ (Pakistan): I should like to begin by extending on behalf of the delegation of Pakistan our congratUlations to the Director General of the Int~rnational Atomic Energy Aqency (IAEA), Mr. Bans Bliz, for his comprehensive ~tatement regarding the activities of the Aqency for the year 1989. The Pakistan delegatIon has carefUlly studied the report of the IAEA for 1989. Bowever~ befo~e proceeding to offer our comments on the report, my delegation would like to avail itself of this opportunity to command Mr. Bliz and his colleagues for their dedication to the work of the Agency and to its objectives and responsibilities. '\)akistan attaches great importuce to the work and aims of the IAEA. It appreci&tes the assistance provided by the Aqency to member States, including Pakistan, in the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, which has made a valuable contribution to the development efforts and the well-being of their people. The imperative need of nuclear energy as a source Gf power has been underlined by the rapid depletion of the world's fossil fuel resources, a fast-growing menace to our enviro~~~t, and disturbiDg signs of an impending global ecological disaster. In the caae of PaJcis~an, aur limited forest wealth in the North-West Region has been seriously ravaged by the influz of over 3 million refugees from neighbouring Afghanistan. P@kistan's energy problem has been further compounded by the crisis in the Gulf region. Our bill for oil imports alone dur.!ng the current year has risan by approzima~ely $1.6 billion with disastrous consequences for our budgetary and development projections and objectives. The acuteness of the energy crisis confronting Pakistan, as well as other developing countries, is made obvious by the fact that whereas the developing countrie~ of the world, in which two thirds of the world's population rQsida, account for only 16 per cent of the commercial energy consumption, the advanced countries, with less than one third of the global popUlation., consume 84 per cent of the world's energy. If the developing countries want to escape poverty, the development of all energy resources in these countries is an essential prerequisite. Both conventional and nuclear energy needs to be harnessed to overcome the crippling shortage of energy in the developing countries. My country appreciates the continuing efforts of the IAEA to help strengthen the infrastructure for the planning, establishment and safe operation of nuclear power projects in the developing countries through interreqional and national training courses and technical co-operation projects. We should like to commend the Agency for the assistance it gives to the devuloping countrias in assessing the role of nuclear power in their national energy plans, and in the introduction of nuclear t~chniques in the fields of food and agricUlture and medicine and physical sciences, which is proving to be extremely useful in their efforts to achieve socio-economic development. According to the IABA's 1989 report, the total installed nuclear-power-generatinq capaoity In the world increased by about 3 per cent last year. Twelve new nuclear power plants were connected to the grid in 1989, while five reactors, with a total capacity of 1370 megawatts, were pe~anently shut down. At the end of 1989, 426 Duclear power plants were in operation in 31 countries, qeneratinq 16.8 per cent of the world's total electricity. It is the sincere hope of my delegation that the developing countries will also benefit from the expansion of nuclear power and that the Agency will be able to step up its programme of assistance to the energy-deficient developing countries. The Agency's existing safegu~rds system has demonstrated its reliability and effectiveness in detecting any diversion of nuclear materials to non-peaceful purposes. We have noted with satisfaction from the Director General's report that no anomaly was detected during 1989 which could indicate diversion of or misuse of nuclear material and equipment under safeguards. The Director General has concluded that "the nuclear material under Agency safeguards in 1989 remained in peaceful nuclear activities or was otherwise adequately accounted for." (A/45/371, GC(XXXIV)/915, p. lQ1) The efforts of the lAEA in promoting nuclear safety world-wide are commendable. The Agency provides a forum for the international exchange of ideas on safety-related as well as many other diverse areas related to nuclear energy. T.be.nuclear safety colloquium held eve~y ye4r since 1985 during the General Conference provides a rare opportunity to review and exchanqe ideas on current safety issues and future programmes. Pakiatan recommends that this event, which has proved its usefUlness, should be continued on a regular basis. Similarly~ the Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) programme, which was initiated by the Agency in 1983 to assist authorities regUlarly in the review of operating nuclear power plants, has proved to provide a unique opportunity to benefit from the expertise and experience of others. Three such OSART missions have visited Pakistan. No departure from the standard safety procedure was observed. (Mr. Zafar-Ul-Hag, rakistap) The Radiation Protection Advisory Team (RAPAT) programme of the Agency, which is designed to promote adequate radiation protection practice, will prove beneficial not only for regulatory bodies but for radiation management groups as well as radiation workers. Systematic reporting and evaluation of safety-related events under the Incident Reporting System will prove helpful in the identification of design modification and development of improved operational procedures. Ever since this programme began, Pakistan has also been actively participating in it• ... We greatly appreciate the sincere efforta being made by the Agency to extend the services of the Assessment of Safety Significant Events Teams (ASSET) to all member States. An ASSET mission visited Pakistan in September 1989. Those missions will definitely contribute to the improvement of the operational safety of nuclear power plants. We welcome the Agency's initiatives in the field of safety and radiological protection. Pakistan has already acceded to the two safety Conventions - namely, the Convention on Early Notification of ~ Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. ("r.lafar-Vl-Hag, PUbtU) Pakistan has actively sought to promote an international agreement prohibiting attacks against all nuclear facilities. Pakistan has concluded a bilateral agreement with India to refrain from attacking each other'm nuclear facilities.' Ke believe that such agreements will enhance nuclear safety. However, the growing tendency to use the nuclear safety issue for restricting co-operation in the peac~ful use~ of nuclear technology is regrettable and should be avoided. Pakistan has always adhered to and will continue to lend its fullest support to the Agency safeguar~~ Pakistan has time and again reaffirmed, at the highe3t level, its commitment t~ nuclear non-proliferation and to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In its endeavours to keep the world free of nuclear weapons, Pakistan has made repeated calls for a moratorium on nuclear testinq. Pakistan supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and zones of peace in various parts of the world. Pakistan's own proposal for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, repeatedly endorsed by the General Al!lsembly # is designed to help keep our regio!'.. free of nuclear weapons. Among various other proposals, we have offered simultaneously with India to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and accept full-scope safeguards. We have also proposed the conclusion of a regional or bilateral nuclear-test-ban agreement or the acceptance of any c~~er non-discriminatory measures which would ensure that nuclear weapons do not enter our region and undermine our peace and security. We. believe that a proper balance should be maintained between the funds allocated for technical assistance and those provided for safeguards. The amounts allocated for technical assistance do not correspond to the urgent need of the developing countries for expansion of their nuclear-energy programmes. This trend ha. to be arrested, and a higher percentage of the budget .hou1d be provided for technical assistance. Moreov.r, as in the cas. of nuclear saf.guard., the technical assistanc. activities of IABA shoulcl also be financ.d through a predictable and assur.d sourc. of funding. I Bhould lite to tat. this opportunity to r8aff~rm, once again, Pakistan'. total commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It i. our .arnest and aincere hop. that the ).g.ncy, in keeping with its charter and mandate, will aill1gn top priority to the cleve10pment of nuclear energy for peaceful purpo.... Thi. has b.come all the more important, as the d.ve10ping countries al'. confronted with increasing reslstance from some States in their efforts to obtain t.chnology for the development and advancement of their peaceful nuclear-energy progranne.. The General A.sembly, through its resolution 32/50, has categorically affil'll8da "All Stat•• have the right, in accordance with the principle of sovereign equality, to d.velop their programme for the p.ac.ful u•• of nuclear t.chnology for economic and .ocial d.velopment, in confo~ity with their priorities, int.rests and ne.cl.... Th. same r••olution a180 cl.arly stat.sa "All Stat.s, without cliacl'il'ftination, ahou1cl have acc.ss to ancl should be free to acquire technology, equipm.nt and materials for the p.aceful use of nuclear energy". Pakistan believe. that all States Members of the UllIited Nations should abide by the.e principles, iD order to check and reverse the negative trends impeding co-operatlo~ in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. In recent years the nuclear reactor accidents have underlin.d the essential need for proper maintenance and repe1r of nuclear reactors o Yet in certain cases ••••nti.l .pare part. .r. Dot betDg provided for r.actora .veD vb.D they .re UDder the Ag.Dey ••feguard.. Thi. 8ituatioD ia totally UD'uatifi.d and requir•• urgeDt r.dr.... Me call UpoD the supplier State. to provide full ..iatenauce coverage to the r.actors provi4e4 by th.... Paki.tan i8 plea8ed to ioiD the CODseasus in support of the draft re.olution on the report of the InteraatioDal Ato..ic Bnerq, Agency. Mr. BAtSAHOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretbtioD froM Russian) ¥ BavlDg studied the report of IABA for 19S9, which vas pre.ented by the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Bltz, the Soviet delegatioD note. with aatisfactioG that this document is a tradition311y weighty one which fully reflects the broad and varied activities carried out by IAEA for the benefit of the whole internatioDal community_ The Soviet Unlon attache. great significance to further enhancement of the effectiveness aDd authority of IABA in developing inter-State co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of atomic energy, in the matter of monitoring the Don-proliferatioD of Duclear veapons, aDd in the matter of improving the world envirc~n~&l mltuatioD. The Agency on the whole i8 succ.s.fully carrying out the maDy complex tasks before it. Bere we see considerable merit in whftt ha. been done by Mr. BItz aDd all the staff of that organisation, and we are grateful to all of them for their work. The activities of IABA today are being c5rr!ed out in special circumstances, characteri.ed by a clearly expr.ssed trend towards the lessening of political and military confrontation aDd towards an increa.e in peaceful co-operation. IDterin9 • period cf peaceful development, mankind i. DOW being released from the unnecessary bu~den of weapons. The elimination of Soviet and UDit~d State. intermediate-range and shorter-range missil.. is now close to completion. w~ DOW (Mr, BatsplOY, USSI) ha". a D" aDd UDpr.ced.DtR agr....Dt bet..eD tb. Soviet UDlon gcl -the United Stat.w OD a ei9Dificant reductloD of offeDeive strategic weapons. Burope ba. r.ached full a;r....Dt on a radical reductioD of it. lIil1tary pot.Dti.l aDd i8 pr.paring to begiD work iD the D.ar future OD a qualitativ.ly diff.r.Dt .et of prlacipl•• DOt ba.ed OD force for eD.uriDg regloDal .ecurity. UDqUe.tioDably this i. a hopeful .i9D, but it would be a ..istake to look at today'. world 8111ply througb ro••-coloured gla••••• !h. cri.i. iD the Parsian Gulf reglon ba. already giv.n u. a cOD.id.rable DUMber of bitter le••oD., and ODe ef the.. i. the great importance of problbltiD9 the .pread of weapoDs of lIass destruction. Here the situation inspire. fears wbicb are well found.d. Tb. Miniat.r for Forelgn Affaira of the USSR, Mr. Sb.vardDadae, la the stateMent be mada at th. pre.ent se.sioft of the Unit.d Ratione General AsseMbly eaidl "To be frank, the .ituation 111 becolling IIlOSt alaming. Let us face itl cracks have appeared in the nuclear pon-proliferation regime; dif~iculti.s are being encountered in ezpandin9 the aone of application of the .afeguards of the International Atomic Ba.ercn AcJency (IAlA-), It ls ti_ to td9ger the emergency systems and face the question in all seriousDes. In order to save the situation", (A/4S/rv.6, p. 53) Tbi. ia not a critic!~ of the AcJeacy. lather it is • call to action, an appeal ...de to all States, to the entire international community. In thi. cODDoctlon, we note that IABA, iD th. light of it. qualification., is striving to ~.act to r.ceat events ia the Persian Gulf region, aDd this vas _DtiODOd by Mr. Bl1z In hi. statemeat, (Hr. BI1;'apoy. USSR) :.if there i. • p.r.ll.1 .pr••d of Ducl.ar weapoDs aDd if, while lA whole c.tegOlrY of .1.••U.. of tJw USSR ud tJ)e Unit.d St.t.. i. beiDC) .1i11illat.~, the c_ category of 4el1very v.bicl•••t.rt cOIIiIUJ off the ....lIbly liD" iD other part. of the world. '!he -.or. th.r••1'. St.t•• po••e••iDC) ...pon. of .... destruction, th. harder it .ill JJe to .chi.v. th. d••ire of p4Iopl•• throughout th. world far .ffective cODtrol over weapoD', for disarm...nt and for reduciD9 the thre"t of war. Tbi. thought, r~fl.ct.d ill the Soviet-United States .t.temeut o~ problems of Duclear, ch••ie.l aDd missile DOD-prolifer.tion, which wa••dopted du~iD9 the MittlllCJ of the Pr••idents of the two countde..t the eDd of May aDd begiDDiDg of Jun. this year, i. becomiDg iDcreasiagly timely. %bat atatemont ODce .gaiD reflected decisive support for the HOD-Proliier.tioD Tr••ty, which cODtinu•• to make 8Il 1Dvaluable CODtributlon to global aDd regional ••cur1ty GIld atabi11ty. Throughout tho 20 years of its existenc.the ~reaty has ShOVD its viability aDd .ifectiveD.s, aa the maiD leg.l aDd political barrler to the apread of Ducle.r weapoDs. We DOto with satlsfactioD the iDcreased Dumber of Stat.. Parties to that Treaty and we welcome the recent dec1810D' by AlbaDla aDd ~.ambique to accede to it. We ezpect .1so that South Africa'S st.ted IDteDtlon reg.rdl89 .ce•••loD to that Tre.ty v1l1 become a ~eallty. %b. Sovi.t Uni..,}",'. fe818 that the Treaty'lI potenU.l has hardly beeD exhausted and that the T~eat:r ahould be ~aintalDed ln effect untll such t~ .s A Ducl••r-fre. world that has r.ftoUllc~d the use of force becomes a re.llty. To r.pl.ce It, we might h.ve oaly • comprebeDs!ve tre.ty on prohibiting the rebirth of Ducle.r ...pons .fter they h.ve been fln.lly .ad completely eliminated. That Is . preclsely the way ID whicb we view the ~uestioD of extending the Treaty, and a declsloD on It ha. to be made 1D1005. (Mr, Bat.agpv, VSSI) The recent Fourth levie. Conference of the Treaty on th. Kon-Proliferation of Kucl.ar Weapon. (BPr) ha. .nabl.d U8 to carry out a fruitful analy.i. of it. iDpl...ntatioD and to Com& up with a nuaber of extremely iaportant agr....nt., including decl.ion. r.eJarding :LABA activitie.. W. are Dot inclin.d to druathe the Conf.r.nc.ln .nding without the adoption of a final document. Me ••• the chief outcome of the Cenf.r.nc. a8 being the fact that th6 Stat.. Parti.. to tl,. Tr.aty haw cut. DO doubt on the n••cl to maintain it. Ke agree with the r••ult. of the Conf.r.nc. and with the 811••••ment includ.d in the stltt.ment mad. by Mr. 811z. The di.cu••ions at the Fourth leview Conference reco~flrmed that a Ducl.ar-te.t ban 1., in the opinion of the overwh.lming majority of State., an importaDt factor in the non-prolif.ration and elimination of Duclear weapon.. The Soviet Union ha. been ac4 remains & convinc.d parti.an of the .peedy implementatioD of that mea.ur.. In 1989, w revieVQtd our nuclear t.sting prograllllle and reduced the number and .i.. of t••t., and .ince October of lant year we have not carri.d out any t ••t. what~c~~.r. Furthermor., we are prepared to tran.forM this year-loDg moratorium into a d.finiUve 04 comprehel;lsive nuclear-te.t ban. All that is needed is for the Unit.d States GoverDme.t, unilaterally or on the basis of mutual agreement, to clo•• down it. Duclea~ testing program. al.o. On 9 October, the Supreme Soviet of the USSI a~pealed to the Parliaments and societies of all countries cl.arly to dete~ine and defiDe their position in favour of a complete and total ban on nuclear te.ting. ~or its part the Supreme Soviet of the USSR haa already informed the Secretftry-Seneral of it. position OD this probleM and i. counting on the Parliament. of other countries to do likewise, thereby achieving a parliamentary referendum on baDning nuclear testing. At the .ame time, we are firmly convinced that the ~roblem of non-proliferation of nuclear weapon. is too important for the survival of all (Mr. Bat.lppy. VSSI) .ankiD4 to use it ia regard to the resolutioD of other prob1.... ADy atte-pt at blackaail or iDtiMidatioD of the iDterDationel C~UDit7 OD DOD-proliferatioD ls mt.ply iDldaissibl.. ID advocating the reduction and flDal eltmiu4tioD of Duclear atockpU••, the ussa beU.ves that it la illportlDt to .eek all po••ibl. vay. cf avoidiDg any iDcrease in nuclear or••nals. Our CQUDtry advQcate. I bID OD the productloD. of fissioDable materials for Duclear weapoDs, au4 w. should plan tc take out of operatioD by th~ year 2000 all of our reactors used to process plutonium for weapoDs. A baD OD the production of fis.ioDable meterials could be a fi~ barrier to both vertical and hori.ontal proliferation of Duclear weapoDs. Our proposal on an agreemeDt OD the non-u~e of Duclear ~aterials for military purposes and IIIterials released as a result of the reduction of Duelear arseDals and the drafting of I corresponding moDitoriDg ..chaD!sm re..ains OD the table. In our viev, the ezperimeDtal work dODe by the lABA along these lin.s ccul~ be a CODcrete step to~ards a compreheDsive system of guarantees of Don-production of Duclear veapoDs. The Soviet Union steadfastly attach~s prime significance to the Agency's work in monitoriDg the peaceful usea of Duclear eDergy aDd we commend the monitoriDg activities carried out by the IABA. The sy5tem of slfeguards vo~ked out by the AgeDcy ia ID effective meaDS for ensuriDg that Duclear materials are Dot shifted from peaceful uses to the manufacture of nuclear weapoDs. ID this connection we Dote with satisfactioD that the Agency's report ODce again confims that iD 1989, a8 in all earAier years, DO violatioDs vera found that would iDdicate that Duclear materials delivered UDder IABA safeguards had beeD shifted to the production of Duclear weapoDs or the establishment of any kiDd of nuclear device. The Soviet UnioD co-operat~s actively vith the AgeDey iD carryiDg out inspectioDs at ~ll peaceful Duclear iDstallations iD acco~d8Dce with the agreement OD the implemeDtation of the safeguards between the USSR and theIABA. ID • S.pte.ber of ~l. year, we gave the Ag.acy • full list of Sovl.t Ducl.ar f.cl11~le• • 0 that they cou14 be MOaltor.d 3Jy the tHA. ftat l!at lacludecJ all aucl_er POWI' ,1aDta iD the Soviet Uaioa, •• well •• aD a441tloDal Duaber of r••••rch reactors. Ira attacbi89 gr.at alga1flcADc. to .Dbaadll9 the .ff.ctiveD~.a of .caitodDIJ, our COUDtry ia ..a.kiq its cODtdbutioa to the cIovelopMat of alLfeguarde by klpl8Mllltlag a Dationl pr09r.... of acl.Dtinc aa4 techalcal support for :tUA .afeguardg. Out of the 10 projecta carried out ia 1989 ia our lIypport pr09r...., five d••lt with the practical activiti•• of the Agsacy it••lf. la order to support the Ageacy·. the perl04 1991-1992 the Soviet UalOD iat.ad. to glve IAIA .afeguard. progr...... eoaetary ."pport ia the .-Gut of 5 .illioD roubl•• of our Datl~Dal curr.acy. The lAD. r.portllhows that the AgeDcy 1. very r••poall1". to tho•• proble... that .re -eat tiBaly for the worle1 cOMDUalty. AMoq aucb proble.. we should "DUOD the broad apectrWl of tallha la Duclear od radiatioD .afety. There are 81.0 que.tioD. of pre••ct &Dd future techD010gy for Ducle8r energy aDd its fu,1 cycle, •• well •• the prob1e. of 4e.UD9 with radioactive valllt••• The Agency aho~l~ be c~n4ed for itm act~witie. in the enviroDmental field. !b.se are e.pecially iaportant, particularly with regard to the enviro~ntal proble.. cau.ed by various .ourcem of energy production. In our vie., the ~l...ntation of tho n~rou. progr....mcarried out by the Agency in these areaa, vll1 benefit all countries and _ate it pos.ibl. to conlsrve considerable reaource•• we nUeve that the e.tabUsbRDt of a (Januice reg1lle for the safe development of nuclear energy aec.suitat.. an ~dlate declaioA OD .ueh problem. as the prevention of attacka OD nuclear facilitie., the fiqh~ againat nuclear terrori •• Md the e.tabU••lnt of legal re«JU1ations concernlr.g reeponsibllity for Duclear d"'ge. The atreDgthenlng of interDational co-operatioD vithin the Agency could be a __ior factor in the•• areaz. 4efenc.le•• IlUkillld 1. iD the face of the destructive force of the atoll. More the four year. have pas.ed, but the 8ituation around Chernobyl remaiuB extremely .eriou.. Huge effort. aDd vast financial and intellectual re.ourcee vill be nee4ed to ell_iDBte the resul~. of that accident. Thi. -ernicg a 4e~aile4 report val given to the Aae~~ly by the Minister for Foreign Affaira of the Byeloruasian Soviet SociaUlt .epublic, Mr. ltravcbenJca. h velco.. the read1ne.a of other countrie., the Agency aud other international organisations to aaalst ua iD this cODDection. !be Soviet UDioD i. .trivin9 to provide comprtih~Daiva assistance so that the Agency CaD .ucc•••fully carry out the taata vhich lie before it. There 18 & conataDt increa.e in the voluntary contributions of th& Union of Soviet Socialist .epublic. to the Technical Asdatancc and Co-operation l'wld of the Agency. Wff pay our ahar. of voluntary contributiQnc to that Fuz4 fully &»4 regularly and we eDDure that -aior coatract. with the Agency for the delivery of 6qUlpment and materiala ar. carried out. In addition to the main contribution to the Technical ~sistanc. and Co-operation Fund, the Soviet Union regularly as.igns fu~ther resources in national currency for asaistance to developing countries parties to the non-proliferation Treaty. At the last se.slon of the Goneral Conf6:-ence of the lOA our delegation stated that for tho period 1991-1994 we would give 2 .illion roubles for proj.cts of teclm.\cal a.slstance to developing countries which are ma!lb&r. of the Agency and • parti.s to the Don-proliferation Treaty. In conclusion, the Soviet delegation would like oncs again to expre.s its approval of the report of the Agency for 1989 and confirm its support for draft resolution Al45/L.9, which has been introduced in connection with this item. Mr. ROBIJJlILLNlB (Austria) I Allow _ first of all to thank the. Director General of the Internat!onal Atomic Energy Agency (IABA), Dr. Bans Sliz, for hi. lucid presentation of this YQar's report. This report excela in its comprehensive, yet concise, description of the Agency's activities and provide. us with a welcome opportunity to cOllllleDd the ezemplary efficiency and sffectiveness with which the Agency'. competent staff, under the able guidance and leadership of the Director General, is operatlngc For over three decad.s the Agency has, in fulf111ing its lIuelate., pl~y.d a • t highly useful and successful role in acting as a catalyst for the establishment of safety standards and procedures to enhance the safety of nuclear energy and in the application of safeguards. These two principal tasks of the Agency d••erve the full support of the international community, whatever may be the national attitude to the use of nuclear ~Der9Y for generating electrical power. Only persiatent international co-operation will lea4 to a reduction of the dangers iuberent in the use of nuclear energy. My delegation Dotes with satisfaction the intensive efforts of the Agency iD this ere. of vital intere.t for the future of .ankin4. (Mr. BObepfellner, Austria) Austria is not among those States which have opted for nuclear energy. This does not MU. however. that we bave no opinion on the issue und/sr consideration. I therefore wisb to take the opportunity of the debate on agenda item 14 to affi~ our position regarding the important role that the IABA is playing in the life of the international community. At the Pourth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Hon-Proliferation of Hu~lear Weapons, held recently in Geneva, the Austrian delegation expressed its appreciation of the important and widening activities of the lAEA. A few weeks later, at the thirty-fourth session of the General Conference of the IAEA. the Austrian delegation stated that Austria's concern. like that of the international community a. a wbole, was to ensure that no nuclear or related material "as used for other than peaceful purposes or in contradiction.of the non-proliferation Treaty and expressed its appreciation of the Agency's indispensable activities in the field of the implementation of safeguards. Austria also recogni.es the grow1ng role of the IAEA in the field of enhancing the safety of existing reactors. sbares the desire of States operating nuclear plants to make them as safe aa possible and welcomes the broadening of international activities directed toward. that goal. Aa is vell known, in its energy policy Austria has forgone the nuclear option. Tbis policy is based OD a referendum and has been set out in a law prohibiting the use of nuclear fiusion ~s a source of power production. This critical attitude towards nuclear power does not, however. diminish our appreciation of the important role the International Atomic Energy Aqency is playing in a world in wbich Duelear power production is a matter of fact. My delegation wisbea to express its satisfaction that the International Atomic Enerqr Agency has its headquarters in Vienna and at the excellent relationship between the Agency and the host country. (Mr. Bohopfelllllr, AustriA) ODe of the many useful activities of the IABA is its seareb for a solution to the problem of trensboundary consequences of major nuclear accidents from the point of vie. of international liability. Auatria welcomes the progr.s~ made in the Standin~ Committee on Liability for Nuclear Damage towards the establishment of a new, cOllprehenD1ve and, we hope" universal contractual reqime in this area. We envisage such a reqi_ beinq e.tabliahed through an extensive revision of tho relevant Vienna Convontion. There is 10DI8 CiqreelMlDt that under the new regime the definition of nuclear damage must be slgnific~tly expanded to in~lude, inter alia, environmental damage as well aa the cost of preventive and reinstatement measures. Austria believes that the ongoing work to establish a Dew reqime of international liability for nuclear damage ill indeed one of the most important activities of the Aqency" and it is highly appreciated by my Government. Austria vill continue to contribute active~y to those endeavours. Mr, lfAGAl (Japan)a At the outset, I should like to express fly delegation'. appreciation and support for the report of the International Atomi~ bergy Agency (IABA), which the Agency's Director General, Mr. Bans 8Ux, ; introduced in his infcmative stat_nt. There is no doubt that for more than 30 years the Agency has beeD successfully fulfilling its important mission aa a UDiver.al technical organisation to promote peaceful us.s of nuclear energy, while at the .... tiIH working to halt nuclear proliferation. My delegAtion wishes to reaffirM Japan's continued support for the Agency and its various progr~~es and activities in both aspects of its mission. ~ delegation is pleased by the broad support for the Agency's programmes, 4e~nstrat.4 at the recent lABA General Conference and by its adoption of r.solutions on the global devolopment of nuclear energy, particularly in the areas of nuclear safety" waste m8llagelMlDt and advDced power plants. Global environmental problems are attracting ever greater concern. As [econfirmed at the summit meeting of the seven industrialized countries held in Houston ~a.t July, nuclear power continues to he an important component of the world'. energy supply; it Is also an important factor in limiting the level of gas e.issions, which are a major cau.e of global warming. Japan supports the Agency's ongoing activities in matters relating to the environment, particularly in the areas of nuclear safety, radiological protection and nuclear waste management. In order to promote more smoothly the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, it is imperative to ensure that nuclear power reactors are operated safely. It is also necessary to gain tb~ understanding and co-operation of the public. Japan is continuing to make every effort to assure the public of the safety of its power plants, and Is supporting the Agency's various activities in this area. In March of this year, for ezample, Japan made a special contribution to the IAEA. Moreover, this week, on 25 to 26 Octobor, it will hOISt" in Aomori, Japan, a regional !leminar OD nuclear energy, mainly for members ef the media. I hope that th1a seminar not only will contribute to the smooth development of nuclear energy in Japan, but will also enhance public acceptance in the countries concerned. Japan is determined to extend support, to the best of its ability, to the Agency's technical co-operation activities, which contribute greatly to the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in developing countries. 'pecifically, Japan will continue to increase its annual contribution to the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund, in accordance with its assessment and in recognition of the importance of the Agency's activities in this field. M•• PELLICBR (Mexico) (interpretation from Spanish) I As in previous years, i~ Is a great pleasure for my delegation to express its gratitude to Mr. Rans Blix, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, for his detailed presentation on the Agency's activities. His statement and the annual report he has submitted to this General Assembly session, make clear the dedication and extreme competence of the Agency's administration in carryiDg out the important tasks entrusted to it by member States. This is all the more important when we take into account that Mr. Blix is continuing to carry out his work despite restrictions imposed by a zero-growth bUdget. Hence, difficult decisions must be adopted with regard to the Agency's programmes, which are not always in keeping with the priorities of all members. My country once again expresses support for Mr. Bliz and the Agency, and we emphasize our firm commitment to continue to co-operate with him and with other member States in trying to overcome the Agency's financial limitations and to strengthen the programmes which are of interest to ua all. In the last 12 months the community of nations has been profoundly stirred by radical changes in thft international structure that emerged from the last world war. All of us have undoubtedly bee~ encouraged by the new winds of political change in important regions of the world. For example, the new policies in Eastern Zurope have clearly opened up important prospects for international co-operation. In the area of Duclear energy, this Dew fact has brought about more effective co-operation in the area of safeguards and in the prevention of nuclear disasters and their consequences. However, in a good part of the world, we still see circumstances which have been of constant concern to my cOUDtry. No doubt, the Agency can and should continue to play a very important role in thoso regioDD. The first circumstance i8 the persistsnce of conflicts which threaten world ~ace and unde~iDe the optimism brought about by the political changes that led us to proclaim the end of the cold war. The fact is that ve are still far from having solved all of those potential sources of conflict, which tend to recur. Therefore, ensuring the responsible and exclusively peaceful UBe of nuclear technology continues to be ons of the central priorities of the IAEA. The Agency's system of safeguards must bft further strengthened and expanded, not only to more countries, but also within those countries where it already exists or where relevant agreements may be reached in future. The safeguards system should be free of political requirements or claims of privilege which merely weaken the system aa a wholo and endanger the security of all. The second circumstance which continues to be of concern to my country is the persistence of problems related to economic developmont which have Dot been solved, Once again, for example, and which could become worse in tho immediate future. (Hs. Ptllic.r, Ha3ico) we ere confronted with a situaticn in which our development programmes aro suffering from th. ups and downs in th. availability of traditional .ouree. of energy. Once again~ we are aware cf the need to seek eDergy diverslf!cet!on seriously and responsibly so we are not subject to the spectre of uncartalnty which affects our economic and social projects. With appropriate security guarantees, nuclear energy co~ld strengthen our development programmes and protect us from the uncertainties brou9ht about by regrettable conflicts which exist primarily in developing countries. There is DO doubt that security and tbe safeguards system are essential pre-conditioDs to the promotion of programmes of peaceful applications of nuclear technology. In this regard, the Agency has baeD called upon to play a central role in the ~ue.t for better economic conditions for developing countriee. The contribution the Agency make. to the d.velopment of agriculture, in4ustry~ food and medicine is all the more important in tbe current international eont.3t. In the report submitted by tbe Director General of the IAEA, one can Dot. that the resour~es allocated to various technical co-operation programmeD continue to be substantial. However, we belJ..ve that tb. Agoncy could do much more to me.t the pressinq n.eds felt by score. of the countrias of the world. We should thus reinforce the AgancyOs t.chDieal co-operation programme. To do so implies goinq beyond increasing the number o~ pledgee to actually fUlfilling them• ("-. Pellig,r, H8z.go) Me _ult allo elt.inate the obstacl•• blocking developing cOUDt~ie.o acce•• to Ducl.a~ technology for peaceful purpo.... Th••conomic n.eds we are facing are .0 great that the~e can be DO doubt that it il irr.sponsibl. to go on putting up barrier. for political r.alon. or because of groundl•••••curity or non-prolif.ratioD COIlBid.rationl. Without .tryiDg to .vade our re.ponsibility to us. nucl.ar technology e.clu.ively for peaceful purpo.es, Don-auclear-weapon countries muat have more lupport to help us reach our economic and locial improvement target•• Strengthening th. .afeguard. system should Dot, in this conteat, operate to the detriment of programmes a~d at promoting technical co-operation iD agriculture aDd food, human health, illll1u.try and science. Me are living in ti~. which r8CJuire u. to act in a decilllve, committed manner to ....t the pre.sing neeas of our peopl.s. TherQ! can be no doubt that one of the most urgent imperative. we are facing' i. the n.ed to ensure international peace and .ecuritYI however, there mu.t also be DO doubt that that peace and .ecurity, if it. ill to be genuine aDd lasting, mu.t be founded on economic development, which is a • key requirement .verywhere on Earth. We are convinced that the International Atomic Energy Agency wl11 play a central role in this und.rtaking, and the Goverament of Mezico i. pr.pared to give the Ageacy it. resolute .upport. Mr. ROU ZhltQpg (China) (interpretatioll from Chine••)1 The Chine.e delegation ha. listeDed carefully to the introductory .tatement made by Mr. Rana Bliz, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IABA), on the 1989 anDual report of the Agency. We are gla4 to .ee that over the past year the Agency has don. a 9reat deal of u••ful WOrk and achieved .atisfactory results in promoting the peaceful usea of nuclear energy, aDd also international co-operation. •• (Mr, Bou Zhitppg. Oipa) The firat bieDD!al technical co-operation programMe, which the Agency started to implement last year, has boen a good attempt at enhancing pro'ect rationality and predictability. The Agency's work iD such areas as promoting safaty in reactor 4esign and operation, providing advisory .ervice. on radioactive wa.to dispo.al and strengthening safe management of radiation source. ham played a positive role iD the development of Duclear power. The Agency's activitioa relating to the assessment of the effectiveness of .afeguards have contributed to increasing the credibility of safeguards, thus having a very important effect toward. en8uring that nuclear energy i8 us.d for peaceful purpo.... I hereby wish to express our appreciation for the outstanding work carried out over the past year by Mr. Han. Bliz, the Director General, and his .ecretariat staff. The Chin.se Government, consistently viewing the.vork of the Agency ~s important and supportillllg it, hae worked to develop co~operative relmtions with the Agency and promote international co-operation in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear safety. Over the paGt year China has participated in the work of the Standing Committee on Liability for Nucle~r Damage and the meeting of ezperts for the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and has continued to take part in the activities of the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (IMSAG). China also favours the drawing up by ,the Agency of a c04e of practice on the international transbouDdary movement of radioactive waste. Folloving the Agency's pre-OSARr (Operational Safety Review Team) safety revie. of the conatruction of Oin.han nuclear power plant in April last year, at our invitation, we once again invited an Agency mission to carry out follow-up activities this year. Ke have also invited the Agency to review the safety of Daya Bay nuclear powelr:' plant in Guandon9 Province, which is being jointly funded by the mainland of China and by Hong Kong. Furthermore. China has hosted or financed six regional training courses and international symposiums, and has continued to use its (Hr. HoD Zhitong, Chipa) Ducl.ar installations and research institutes to train parsounel from countries in the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the vo~ld. Chinese ezperts have taken part, at the Aqency's invitatioD, in advisory or ezpert groups on various topics. The main pUrPOse of China's Duelea~ industry is the development of nuclear pGver. We have made fresh progress over the paat year in Duclear power development UDder our policy of identifying priorities and developing nuclear power step ty step. In parallel with the development of nuclear power, work on the corresponding civil nuclear fuel cycle industry is in full swing. Meanwhile, ve are carrying out active research into nuclear science and technology, so that our nuclear industry can develop on a solid foundation and ha,?e good poteDtial for further growth. The first phase of the work on the 300 megawatt prototype reactor at the Qinshan power plant has reached the stage of hydraulic testing and commissioning. Tbe blueprints of the 2 times 600 megawatt nuclear power plants for phase two of the Oinshan project have also been completed. Construction of the Daya Bay Duclear power plant in Guandong Province is making headway according to schedule, with the installatioD of the first reactor already well under way. China's total installed nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 6000 megawatts by the end of the century. The prevention of nuclear-weapon proliferation constitutes an important aspect of the Agency's activities. The Chinese Government pursues a policy of not advocating, encouraging or engaging in Du~lear-weaponproliferatioD, and of not helping other countries develop nuclear weapoDs. On international co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, our Government has adopted an active, prudent and responsible approach. As a memJ)er of the IABA, China faithfully abides by the Agency's statute. With its nuclear exports, China makes it a requirement that the importing State should accept IAlA safeguards, and we give assurances that China's nuclear imports are for peaceful purposes. China and the IAlA have slCJ!lsd aD agreement whereby ChiDa voluntarily places some of its nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards. Of.~ e Hop ZbitoDg, Chipd (Mr. Rou Ditonq, China) Chinah~s made it. contribution to the prev.ntion of nucl.ar prolif.ration. Hot long ago the C~ln... Gov.r~nt .ent aD ob••rv.r cSel.gation to the Fourth ••view Conf.r.nc. of the Parti.. to the Tr.aty on the HOD-Prolif.rat!oD of Nuclear Keapon... in Gcn.va. Thi. not only p~oved China·••upport for the objective of nucl.ar di.armament and the pr.v.ntion of Duclear-weapon prolif.ration.. but also chow.d the importance that China attache. to the Conf.r.nce. In the 20 years slnco it. entry into force.. the non-proliferation Treaty ha. produc.d some posJ·\ve eff.ct. in the prevention of nuclear-weapon proliferation.. contributing to a certain degree to.. and to the maintenance of,vorld peace and .tability. The Treaty reflectath. just aspiration of numerous nOD-nuclear-weapon Stat.... particularly the developing countri.... to the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons and the birth of a ~u~lear-weapoD-free world. Tbe Chinese Gov.rumeat support. the three major objective. set forth in the Treaty.. namely: to pr.vent nuclear-weapon prolif.ration, to promote nuclear disarmament and to facilitate the peacefUl u.es of nuclear .n.rgyl it considers these three objectives interr.lated and in.eparable, We are in favour of Duclear-weapon Don-proliferation.. but.. even more important, we advocat. the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapoDs. Only significant progr.ss in nuclear disarmament can truly str.ngthen the authority of the non-prolif.ration regime, By the sam. tok.n, the maint.nance of an effective non-prolif.ration regime will b. conduciv. to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. China &lvays stands for international co-operatioD in the field of the peaceful us.s of Duclear en.rgy. Ke hold that the parties involved in such co-op.ration must institute appropriate measures to preclUde the proliferation of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices. Tbis cODstitutes the prerequisite for smooth co-operatione However.. such non-proliferation measures should not be (Hr. Ibu Zhit;"." Chlp) uae4 to restrict or hamper aay country'. no~al peaceful Duclear activitle.aad international co-oper~tion. Ke are confi~ent that the Agency will -.ko fr5sh efforts to continue ita support of &11 the basic objectiv.. laid down in the Treaty. China adhei'es to ita fUD4_ntal policy of refom and opening to the cuta1de world aDd pursu.s aD Inde~lld.nt fore!.~ policy of pea=e. We have heltS all along that the caus. of maintaining world peace and promoting development ne.4. international co-operation and represents the d••and of our tiDe. In the fie14 of the peacefUl use. of nuclear energy China vU.l.. as always, develop co-operative relations with the IAEA and .ake aew contributions to the streDgtheaing of co-operatioD amollg all countries OD the basis of the prlncl~leG of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and equality and ~tual Hnefit. The Chlne.e delegation co...nds the IABA' a work over the pact year and "is".&! to espress it. appreciation of the anDual report, wbich is aD appropriate reflection of the Agenoy's work. Ne shall, therefore, support draft resolution Al45/L.'. Mr. MALOBI (Cuada)x It give. _ great pleasure to welcOlle the report /fIf the Director General of the International Atomic Ener~ Agency, Dr. Bana 81iz, to this Assembly and to reiterate my Gover~at's approval of tho AgeDcy's D3Dual report for 198~. My Goverument had the opportunity towel~ome Dr. Bltz on aD official vi.it to Canada last week. During his visit, Dr. Sliz had discussions with the Miniater of Energy, Miaes and Resource8 and the Minister of IZternal eelatioDs end International DevelnpMent, .s veIl .s with senior offlcial& of Govera-ent, nuclear regulators, the nuclear Industry and power utilitie.. Our talks "ith Dr. Bllx, covering many of the .... i ••ue••s he rai.ed ia hi. stat...nt to the Aa•.ably, "ere "ide-ranging anc! very fruitful. All who IlMtt Dr. BUz agreed that the United • Nations system is fortunate to have a statesman of his ability and viclon at the head of one of its agencies. The Fourth Review Conference of the Partie~ to the Treaty on the Hon-Proliferation.of Nuclear Wecpcns (NPT) saw a number of important achievements which represent real progross in the field of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, notwithstanding ths fact that a formal consensus on a final document did not emerge from the Conference. Canada was pleased that the pa~ties agreed to urge all non-nuclear-~apon States ~h!ch have not yot done so to make an international, legally binding commitment Dot to acquire nuclear weapons er other nuclear explosive devices and to accept IARA safeguards on all their peaceful nuclear activities, both current acd future, to verify compliance with that commitment. Main Committee 11 of the Conference agreed on language further to urge the n~clear supplier States to require full scope 8afe9uerd~ on new supply arrang~~nts. The38 requirements have been at the centre of Canadian nuclear export policy for many years. My Government alao places importance on the r.comme~daticnby the HPTReview Conferetice that, ia the event of questions arisinq about the commitment of any State party to the non-proliferation objective~ of the Treaty, thelAEA should not hesitate to take full advantage of its rights, 1~cludin9 the use of spocial inspection. My Gover~~ent would welcome an early a~udy by the ~ency of the possible scope, application and procedures of such inspection. CanQda was a130 plea~ed to learn from the annual report that in 1989, as in p~e"'i.c#um years, the secretariat did not detect any event which would indicate the diversion of ~ ~!.gnificant ~ount of nuclear material and concluded that the nuclear material undar Agency safeguards in 1989 remained in peaceful nuclear activities. 7he Director Generalis to be commended on the improvements and sav~ngs the International Atomic Energy Agency has achieved in the implementation of safeguards. At the same time, my Government recognizes that the level of certain activities, not8bly the safeguarding of new nuclear facilities, is externally imposed upon the Agen~y. Canada remains committed .to ensuring that the effectiveness of Aqency safeguards is not compromised by bUdgetary pressures. My Government has repeatedly stated its belief that the specialized and technical agencies of the United Nations system should operate free of political encumbrances. It is to the credit of Dr. Blix and the IAEA that his Agency is larqely free of such debate. We welcome his efforts to keep his Agency's activities on such questions within the bounds of the IAEA's mandate. He has brought fresh ideas to this Assembly which we will wish to bear in mind in our own deliberati"ns of these issues. We find particularly timely Dr. Blix's remarks on the role of the rA!~A safeguards system as a model for new systems of impartial international verification. We commend Dr. Blix's grasp of the complex and difficult interrelationships on qlobal warming and energy policies. I must repeat a comment my delegation made to tho Assembly last year in which we noted that Dr. Blix's comments have highlighted the importance of fixing a locus within the United Nations system for the consideration of energy questions. He has also underlined the importance of much closer policy co-ordination and collaboration between ener~J and environmental planners if we are to achieve significant progress in reducing the degradation of the environment caused by energy consumption. My Government is committed to achieving the maximum possible savings of energy through increased efficiency and conservation, but we recognize that, as Dr. Blix has pointed out, on the world-wide level agreement on restrictions on the use of energy ~ill be hard to attain as energy la a key factor in econoMic development. Ho ODe w111 ela1l'l that nuclear power la a panacea for the world' s energy problems, but It is important to r,co9Ol., ita role aa an 'nergy source which emits neither acid rain nor greenhouae g01188. In recognition of the role which nuclear pover can play in a diversified energy atrategy, my Government recently announced ita intention to retain the Duclear 'nergy option for Canada. Dr. Sliz haD correctly pointed out that the main reasons for public resistance to a continued and expanded U8' ef nucl,ar power lie in concern about accident~ ana about the 41BpolSal of radioactive waste. He has outlined the valuable work which the International Atomic Energy Agency is carrying out in both these areas. Dr. Bliz hDS outlined to ~a the ambitious programme which hi. Agency is co-ordinating to offer an expert and impartial analysis of the radiological cQuaequences of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. My GoverDment has recQ9Dlzed the valuable contribution of the IAEA to the promotion of nuclear safety and radiation protection through its many and varied technical programmes, and Canada ia pleased to make major contributions in all these areas. Canada waa pleased to support the adoption by the IAEA General Conference of a Code of Practice on the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste, which waa negotiated by an ezpert working group chaired by an official of Canada's Atomic Bnergy Control Board. We hope that the General Assembly wl11 also welcome the adoption of the Code. Aa Dr. 81iz has pointed out to us, we are deeply concerned that an Agency so widely supported and respected by all members, large and small contributors alike, should have had to face significant cash crises in three of the pa~t four years. In Canadian statements to the Board of Governors and the GeBeral ConfereDce of the IAEA, my Government urged all member States, ea a tangible measure of their support for the Agency, to fulfil their obligations to it in full and on time. Canada will support measures such ,a an adequate working capital fund to provide the Agency with the tools that will enable it to discharge its mandate effectively. I wish to conclude this statement by looking further ahead for a moment. As w~ move into the last decade of the twentieth cGntury the Agency faces serious challenges OD several frontsa the budgetary constraints under which it continues to operate; the problem of public concern over n~clear safety; devastating threats to the health of the world's environment; and the growing responsibilities of the Agency cODcerniD9 the D"clear non-proliferation regime. All this is taking place against a background of unprecedented changes in the field of international relations• In the light of all the3c factors the role of the paacsful uses of nucl~ar energy takes OD even greater importance. 1 wish to reaffirm Canada's strong and continuing support for the vital work of the Agency and for achieving' the crucial objective of ensuring the benefit to the entire world community of the future developntent of nuclear energy. Mr. MGBOQBRB (Nigeria): My delegation has read with great il1tereat the information OD the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency contained in the 1989 annual report of the Agency to the General Assembly. I should like to thank warmly the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Bans Bliz, for the valuable roport and his lucid statement, which cover major Issues relevent to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Nigeria attaches the utmost importance to international co-operation in the peaceful us•• of nuclear energy. I~ this regard we recognize the vital importance of nuclear science and technology in various facets of modern life and the great potential it holds for the future. Ne would therefore like to acknOWledge wi~ appreciation the successful operation of the Agency's technical assistance and co-operation programme, as detailed in the report, in the pcwar and non-power uses of nuclear energy, especially In food and agriCUlture, mlniDg, water resources, medicine and industry. Ne are also impressed by the traininq courses and seminars conducted by the Agency, p~rticularly in the area of nuclear applications. We welcome the steps the Agency has taken to establish a nuclear instrumentation network in Africa. In all, we are pleased that the Agency's activities in nuclear applicGtions have continued to respond t\<'J tlle needs of the majority of the cSeveloping countries, which may not, in the foreseeable future, be in a position to avail themselves of the benefits of nuclear power. We wish, therefore, to call for increased contributions to the Technical Assist&Dce and Co-operation Fund and cxtrabudgetary resources. We are encouraged by the achievements through the Regional Co-operative Agreements for Asia and for Latin America, particularly in the implementation of regional projects. In this connection we are thankful to the Agency for its invaluable contribution in putting in place the African Regional Co-operative Ag~eement for Research, Development and Training relating to Nuclear Science and Technology (URA) which wr.s approved by the Board of Governors last February. We are pleased that the first inaugural meeting of the representatives of AFRA, held laot month in Cairo, was able to recommend seven p~ojects for implementation, inc1u4ing projects on nuclear instramentation, radio&ctive waste management, food irradiation and nuclear information. We welcome the participation of the United States of America, ~rance and Japan in that conference~ It remains our hope that AlBA will receive the necessary support from donor countries in order to enable it to contribute to Africa's development in nuclear science and technology. We have noted with interest the activities of the Agency in the area of safeguards. Nigeria firmly supports the continued strengthening of the safeguards syatem to enable the IABA fully to discharge its international legal obligations pursuant to safeguards agreements. In this connection we are conscious of the key role the IAEA safeguards play in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and of their contribution to global security. We therefore commend the Agency's efforts in 1989 to find ways further to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of safeguards, in view of the increasing number and complexity of nuclear facilities and guantities of nuclear materials to be safeguarded. Ife fully share the view that in the coming years the international cOJllllunity will have to face the challenge of ensuring that all nuclear ine~allations world wide are safe and well-regulated and pose no danger to human health and environment. The challenge can only be addressed constructively and 8ucce8sfully through intensified international co-operative efforts. It is not in doubt that international concern today over the protection of the enviro~Dt, and the deep-seated fears over nuclear safety in general, call for intensified efforts in building aD international consensus on n~clear safety and radiological protection. In this regmrd we commend the Agency for its measures and persistent initiatives to strengthen international co-operation in matters relating to nuclee~ safety and radiological protection. We believe that the Conference on Nuclear Safety scheduled by the Agency for next year will contribute to and enr!ch international efforts aimed at achieving the highest levels of safety. Ife wish to express our appreciation to. the Director General for the urgency with which he addressed the issue of transboundary movement of radioactive waste. We welcome the adoption by the IAEA General Conference last Septembar of a Code of Practice on the International Transboundery Movement of Radioactive Waste elaborated by the group of experts. Nigeria sces the Code 8S a useful mechanism to control international transboundary movement of radioactive waete pending the future elaboration of a convention on the sub'ect. We are aware that such a convention will take time to materialize. Ke ther.fo~. regard the Code as a n~cessary first step in the process of elaborating a legally binding instrument to control international transboundary movement of radioactive waste. AlthoU9h the Fourth Review Conference of the Parties to the T~.aty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons failed to adept a final declaration, it ie noteworthy that the Aqency vas cOnRendftd by the Conference for ita safeguards system, its technical co-operation programme and its work in the field of Duclear safety. It ie a well-4eserve4 commendation, in which my delegation fully shares. The 1989 annual report before us shows that the Agency has performe4 remarkably well. The Agency continues to make untiring efforts, in aD .nvir~Dm&nt of .ero real growth, to improve its efficie~cy and effectiveness in the prepcretion an4 implementation of its progr~, It is assential that the Agency's activities, which continue to grow inexorably, should not be allowed to be hamstrUD9 fer lack of resources. With these remarks, my 4elegation supports 4raft resolu~ion A/45/L.9 on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mr, ZLIHIQ (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic) (int&rpr~tationfrom Russian) a The report submitted to the forty-fifth sessioD of the General Assembly by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its work in 1989 contains detailed in£o~ation concerning the activities of this important international organisation. In the period under review the IAEA was operating against a background of expanding East-West dialogue which, in turn, was having an overall beneficial effect on the political life of the world community. The changing political situation in the world holds out the hope that humanity will be able to approach the twenty-first century leaving the cold war and all-out controDtation far behind. We are gratified to Dote that our sentiment in this regard is consonant with the opinions and conclusions formulated in a recent article by the lAEA Director General, Mr, Hans Bliz, who wrote thata "the new East-West relationship leads to drastic improvements in the international climate by creating opportunities for broader co-operation and calls for a more ample and efficient use of international organizations", These words sound all the more relevant when articulated by the leader of an organisation designed to promote international co-operation in the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to monitor the application of its safeguards, to render practical assistance to developing count~ies and to provide information and technical services. The Ukrainian delegation commends the lAEA for its role in implementing safeguards ~gaiDst the proliferation of nuclear weapons, At preaent this principle progreasively becomes materiali:ed as a universal leqal and moral Dorm, as the Treaty OD tho Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) assumes ever q~eater ------- significance as a factor in achieving further effective nuclear disarmament. This was demonstrated by the outcome of the HPT Fourth Review Conference held recently in Geneva. The Conferenca vas the first of its kind to bo attended by an observer dalegation of the Ukrainian SSR, which thus shoved its willingness to become more active in strengthening ~e non-proliferation regime. The Declaration of State Sovereignty, adopted by the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet on 16 June last, announces the Ukraine's intention to become in the futuro a permanently neutral State which will stay out of milit~ry alliances and abide by the three non-nuclear principles, namely: not to accept, not to produce and not to acquire auclear weapons. We are preparad to do our best to enhance the IAEA's·authority as a guarantor of the implementation of the NPT and to increase the effectivenSBs of its system of safeguards with a view to extending it to all nuclear activities by non-nuclear-weapon States. In calling for the preservation an~ further strengthening of the non-proliferation Treaty and for achieving its universality, the Ukrainian SSR belieV6s that, as further progress is made towards genuine nuclear disarmament, this Treaty could b6 superseded by c comprehensiv6 agreement on the non-reintroduction of nuclear weapons after their final and c~mplete elimination from the face of the Earth. The first ste~s towards a comprehensive system of safeguards againat the reintroduction of any such weapons wlll be. taken when agreemente are reached on banning the production of fissionable materials for nuclear weapons and OD the non-use for military purposes of material released as a result of the reduction of nuclear arsenala, including an appropriate verification mechanism. The IAEA has an important role to play in this area by sharing its monitoring ezperience and fissionable materials for peaceful purposes. My delegation cOl'llnends, too,the activities of the lAEA in other areas and its efforts to develop further and expand international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Among the IAEA activities of particular interest to the Ukraine are studies and recommenaations concerning nuclear and radiation safety, racUoactivG waste manaqement and the impact of nuclear facilities on the environment. Nuclear energy i5 now going through the most difficult and crucial period in its history. It ba~ become the subject of growing criticism and mounting concern - in fact, a public credibility gap. The future of nuclear energy largely depends on whether public confidence in it can be restored. The key point here is to make nuclear energy socially and environmentally acceptable and to ensure that the operation of nuclear power plants is always safe. Our profound con~ern over the present state of and the prospects for the development of nuclear energy is largely associated with the tragedy experienced by our people as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Obviously, the Chernobyl technological catastrophe has been the worst of its kind and has entailed much more serious and long-term implications than initially suggested. Besides extensive material and environmental damage, the Chernobyl disaster has been psychologically devastatiDg for the people of the Ukraine, Byelorussia and part of Russia. It shattered confidence in the safety of nuclear reactors. Despite assurances by scientists and esperts that every action has been taken to prevent any recurrence of the tragedy, public opinion in the Ukraine remains opposed to the development of atomic enerCJY. Even IAEA experta are not being given the benefit of the doubt. It ls important that we take urgent action now to restore popular confidence in that highly authoritative organization and in its competence. Speaking from this rostrum I wish to inform the Assembly that the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR, responding to the will of the people and considering the gravity of the situation, has decided to freeze for five years the construction of new nuclaar power plants on the territory of the Republic. A parliamentary resolution prohibits increasing the capacities of operational nuclear power plants in ezcess of the limits imposed as of 1 August 1990. Earlier on a decision wcs taken to phase out the Chernobyl Duclea~ power plant by 1995. Thl construction of several nuclear facilities has been susp8ndod or moth-balled. According to its present concept of n~clear energy development, fQr the nezt 15 years the Ukraine will be usinq only 12 to 14 power units out of the 15 pow in operation. The entire energy programme is being reviewed to meet the requirements of energy and resourC6 conservation. . (M£. 210»'0, vtrainion SSR) SiDce the accident at Chernobyl the Goverument has implemented a set of large-Bcale measures to mitigate the consequences of the disaster and to ensure normal living cOnditioDS for. people in the affected areas. A vast scientific and industrial potential and significant human and material resources have been mobilised for these purposes. An amount of 3.6 billion roubles has been allocated for the years 1990 to 1992, primarily to protect people'S health. Bowever, a viable system of radiation protection is yet to be set up. The Parliament and the GoverDllent of the Republic are to join their efforts at the national level with those of the international community represented by the United NatioDs, ita specialised agencies and IABA, and to accomplish a tremendous amount of work which requires highly unconventional approaches. The very fact of the establishment in the RepUblic of a Parliamentary commission on the Chernobyl accident and a governmental committee to protect the popUlation from the effects of the Chernobyl disaster testifies to the urgency and utmost importance of the tasks at hand. The unprecedented scala ef the Chernobyl accident testifies in an ever more striking way to the fact that we are dealing with a catastrophe which, transcending national and regional boundaries, has turned into a global environmental problem requiring the constructive interaction of all members of the international cODl1lUDity. An important step in that direction vas taken "hen the second regular I session of the Bconomic en4 Social Council in 1990 adopted a consensus resolution on "International co-operation in mitigating and overcoming the effects of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl", which was sponsored by 63 United Nations Member States Unanimous support for the idea of broad international co-operation, unrestricte4 by ideology or bloc policies, in pursuit of this noble cause has provided additional proof that major positive changes are taking pIece iD international affairs an4 that the new political thintiDq and corresponding new GnviroDmental thinking al" increasingly gaining ground. We ezpross our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have responded to our,misfortuoe. Particularly important for us has been the moral aDd ethical aspect of this re.ponse., As we IIIOve ahead to overcome the stereotypes of the past in international politics. new principles are b.i~g fo~lated for jointly addressing the global issues faciDg our civilization. which gives us reason to speak about new political thinking being complemented by Dev ethical thinking. Th. Ukrainian deleqation hopes 'that efforts to implement the aforementioned Bconomic and SOC131 Council resolution. not least within the framftvork of IAEA, will follow up on the important multidimensional effort to mobilize the international community'. potential for dealin9 with the cODse~uence. of the Chernobyl accident. My delegation Dotes that IABA is taking a nWllber of meallures to solve this proble.. In particular. the Agency. assisted by an international group of experts. is implementin9 a project for assessing the health and environmental risks posed by radiation. IABA specialists end the Director General persoD&lly havo visited the affected areas on .everal occasloDs and participated in the impl.mentatioD of concrete measures to minimize the consequences of the dlsa8te~a W. are looking forward to r.ceiving the findings of the ~xperts who have beeD working to evaluate the concept of safety for the lDhab!tants of cOlltardnate4 areas. ~e agr~ement to set up an international research c.ntre at the CherDobyl Duclear facility, signed during the recent IABA General Conference. provides & basie for our further co-o!X'ration with the Agency. ~he UJcraiuiu SSR. a party to • thi. agreement. will offer other countries and international orqanisatioDB every opportunity for extensive research on a bilateral or multilat.ral baais. During the General Conference the delegation of th~ Ukrainian SSR supported the IAEA. prcqrlmlH and budget for 1991, which, we believe, adequately takes care of the prlodty areas of the Agency'R activities. We expressed ourselves as being in favour of further efforts in such fields as nuclear energy and the nuclear fuel cycle, controlled thermonuclear fusion, eafety and protection Against radiation, the application of nuclear methods in various fields and co-operation within the framework of the International Nuclear Information System. We also support the Agency's technical assistance to dev~loping countries. The Ukrainian BSR makes voluntary ,contributions to the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund and participates in the implementation of the Agency's programmes in this area. In conclusi©~, I hope that, on the basis of the discussions during this General Assembly session, the IAEA will seek to enhance the effectiveness of its work with a view to developing broad international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. For its part, the Ukrainian SSR, which is at present a aember of the Agency's Board of Governors, will do ita utmost to promoto these efforts. Mr. BUBOABA (Romania): It is a great pleasure for me to express the Romaaian Goverament'c high appreciation of the outstanding contribution of Mr. Bliz, Director General ef the International Atomic Bn~rgy Agency, to th~ high prestige that the organization en'o1's today throughout the world. The Romanian authorities particularly appreciate the visit which tho Director General made to my country soon after the December Revolution and which represents a genuine landmark for the further development of the co-oper&tion between Romania aDd the Agency. At this stage, whsn Romania is taking fundamental decisions regarding ita future economic and social development, great emphasis is being placed on the development of nuclear power and on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in general. We are pleased to state that Romania benefits in this field from fruitful co-operation with several countries and in particular with Canada. We hope that a more significant contribution to the implementation of our programmes will be achieved through active co-operation with IAEA. Romania is most grateful to IAEA, whose activities enjoy the complete support of the Romanian Government, and it is ready to continue to promote the existing co-operation in all respects. In his important statement today. the Director General outlined the main activities of the Agency and reported on both the progress made by the Agency and the urgent tasks that it is faced with in discharging its responsibilities. I would like to refer briefly to some of these issues. My country strongly supports the Agency's safeguards programme as a major contribution to the prevention of access to nuclear materials, equipment and technology for other than peaceful purposes. It is our considered view that the IAEA's safeguards, as well as othor international agreements in the field of nuclear transfers, must, as part of the non-proliferation regime, operate efficiently. This is of crucial importance as long as the international community faces the risk. of new actors emerging in the nuclear arena. Romania is fulfilling in good faith all the obligations it has assumed under the non-proliferation Treaty and multilateral or bilateral agreements, and is co-operating with other States in efforts to achieve the non-proliferation objective. In this context, soon after the December revolution the Romanian Government took a number of important actions, to which my delegation will refer tomorrow in its statement in the First Committee., Other vital areas of the lAEA's activities to which Romania attaches particular importance are those of nuclear safety, quality assurance, the licensing process, radiological protection and training of operating staff. It goes without saying that my country attaches the utmost importance to technical assistance and co-operation and other promotional activities of the Agency, and above all to those concerning the transfer of technology and human resources development iu such key areas of peaceful usea of nuclear energy. At the same time, Romania is highly appreciative of technical assistance by the Agency in broadening the range of utilization of nuclear applications in agriculture, industry, medicine, biology, hydrology and research. (Mr. Buhoara,Romania) It is abundantly clear that confidence in nuclear energy would be enhanced by ensuring a high level of safety standards related to its application. It is therefore crucial that a concerted effort be made by Governments and international organizations, in particular the International Atomic Energy Agency. We welcome the Director General's remarks on this issue in his statement today. Over the years the Agency has played an active role in setting up groups of. experts to review, assess and upgrade safety requirements and codes of practice and to disseminate the practical experience gained. Among its valuable initiatives in safety-related topics, we welcome the Agency's readiness to become more active in reviewing the level of safety in older types of reactors. For obvious reasons my country is particularly interested in the IAEA's initiative regarding this review, beginning with the older VVER reactor. The Romanian authorities have expressed their willingness to participate in this valuable project with all expertise accumulated, inclUding seismological input data and seismic engineering. During the recent session of the General Conference of the Agency Romania appealed.to all member States to participate in and contribute generously to the Agency's remarkable initiative aimed at diminishing the risks associated with older reactors and thus makin9'~ important contribution towards restoring confidence in nuclear power. We also fully support !AEA efforts to draft specific rules governing nuclear activities, such as those on liability for nuclear damage. However, other topics of nuclear international law need to be settled. I refer in particular to the need for a legal instrument to prevent, or at least minimize, the risk of radioactive dispersion over State borders. Just as the international community now has a solid legal framework regarding non-proliferation, so it is important for all States and for the very future of nuclear power to work out a comparable framework in the field of nuclear safety. (Mr. Buhoara, Romania) It would be a new symbol of the deep changes taking place in the world if the community ofnatioDs were finally to realize that the non-proliferation re9ime and international care for nuclear safety are both in the vital interest of mankind. We believe that it is this spirit of mutuality of interests and co-operation which is the baais for the International Atomic Energy Agency, that must prevail in the years to come. Mr. STEIN (United States of America): The United States wishes to express its strong support for the draft resolution before us on the 1989 annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ne commend Director General Sl!z and the Agency's secretariat for the diligence and commitment which they have demonstrated ODce again in this review and summary of the IAEA's activities. As we begin the decade of the 1990s, the world has entered a period of significant change in the international system, with strong challenges to international peace and stability. There have been meaningfUl and largely peaceful movements towards the restoration of democracy and the development of market economies in central and eastern Europe. At the same time, recent evente in the Middle East and in the Gulf area demonstrate increased uncertainty, instability and conflict in that rogion. Under such conditions of change and uncertainty, we must continue our strong resolve to prevent the spreaa of nuclear weapons, while facilitating the UBe of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We look to the IAEA to continue its vital and traditional ·institutional role at the centre of international efforts to achlevJ these objectives. The Agency's unique safeguards programme is an indispensable element in global efforts to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons. This programme deaerves the unwavering commitment and support of all IAEA members, espscially in light of the predicted substantial expansion of civil nuclear (Mr. Stein, Upit.4 Stat.s) facilities in this decade. In addition we commend the IABA's effective programmes of technical assistance to promote peaceful application of nuclear technology. ~oward8 these ends. the United States pledges to maintain its strong and active support for this important Agency. The IABA alsO has much to offer in me.ting the world's needs for safe and Inviroumentally sound sourc.s of energy. The Agency will continue to be a primary aourc. of advic. and assistanc. to countri.s seeking to develop clean energy r'lourc.s for sustainable development. AB the Director General has observed, nuclear .nergy offers a safe, reliable and environmentally compatibl. means of .nhancing energy auppli.8 while at the lame reducing dependence OD fossil fuels and 1811'Ding the threat of global warming. Agency programmes to improve operatioDal nuclear safety and to promote measures for the safe, long-te~ and environmentally sound disposal of nuclear wastes can advance public acceptance of nuclear technology by addressing these important concerns. The annual report for 1989 vas recently approved by the lAEA's General Conference. Once again the Agency was able to affirm that in the application of Agency safeguards there vere no diversions of nuclear materials to non-peaceful uses. This is a critical conclusion in these changing times. In this context we firmly support lAEA efforts to examine the issue of the widespread application of safeguards to countries in areas of regional tensions. We continue to believe that all countries with nuclear capabilities should open all of their peaceful nuclear facilities to international safeguards. The Agency'~ effective system of verifiable safeguards and assurances against diversions to non-peaceful use is the foundation of international co-operation in the peacefUl uses of nuclear energy. III our view" the Agency's work il\ the non-proliferation area wlll become even more critical and these responsibilities must continue to be the Agency's first priority, commanding the unwavering commitment and support of all members of the international community. Although nuclear safety is mainly a national responsibility, the IlEA provides valuable advice and assistance in this area and facilitates internQtional co-operation. We Dote the report's Mention of the conclusion of an agreement between the IlEA an4 the World Association of Nuclear Operators establishing co-operation in the area of improved plant operational safety. We believe the Agency's current efforts to assess the radiological consequences of the accident at Chernobyl and to evaluate tbe effectiveness of the steps taken in response to the (Mt. SteiD, Unit.d Stataa) accident can provid" a va1uab1. body of information for future use. ife trust that the results of this assessment will provide a sound basis for decisions in the future. The Agency has traditionally taken ID active role in promoting the safe aDd environmentally sound disposal of radioactive waste. MOst recently in this area, the General Conference adopted a Code of Practice on the International 7rIDllboun4ary MoVelfteDt of Radioactive Waste. The annual report shoved a modest growth in the use of nuc1eer power as 12 more nuclear power plants came OD lin. in several countri.s. N.arly 17 per cent of the world's electricity generation vas from nuclear sources in 1989. This figure is likely to increas~ ae countries aeek to provide additional and enviroDmlntally acc.ptable sources of energy. Me ar. pleased to se. the continuing growth in the Ag.ncy's technical co-operation and assistonce programmes. Total resources for th.s. p~ogranneD increased nearly 10 per cent in 1ge9, largely owing to the flexibility provided by voluntary contributions. For lIaDY of th" ,Agency's _abOrs the application of nuclear tochniques in medicinG, agriculture, the 'DvlroDBent aDd r.1at.d ar••s offers the greatest poasibi1ities for maklcg the ben.fits of tb, peaceful atOll immediately available to their peopl... For esamp1'D VI mr. pleased to Dota in this area that the Agency is contributing its .zpertis. to a amior pr09r~ under way for the eradication of the Dev world screVlf'Ol1I. Thb ~.t ll11 podn9 a serious threat to all wal'll-bloo4.c! Ul11818 in Borth Afdca od in the M5cUt.rru9u Basin. The programme utili.e. sterili.ation technique. originally developed aDd successfully employed in North America. Me also Dote that thG growth in regionsl co-oporatloD, previously cited, in (Mr. Stei», United State.) Aaia aDd Latin America toot an important step forward in another geographical region with the conclusion of the proposed text of a co-operative agreement for ueaber States in the.African region. In hi. address to the Aasembly Director General Blix has pointed to the critical role of energy sources and energy policies in efforts to abate world-wide .nviroDmental de9ra4atio~. Efforts to promote expansion of the use of nuclear .nergy as a safe and environmentally acceptable contribution to meeting energy noeds can be succe.sful only if the security of safeguards and safety is assured. ife wish the Ag.ncy well in thes. tasks. Hr, TRAlLIR (Italy): Allow me, first of all, to express, OD behalf of the State. members oftho European Community, our thanks to the Director General of the IDto~Dational Atomic Bnergy Agency (IAEA) for the quality of the Agency's annual r.port, for 1989, aDd for his statement, in which additional information was given on the most recent developments in the Agency's activities. The role of the Agency as promoter of international co-operation in the field of nucl.ar .nergy an4, at the same time, as verifier of the peaceful uses of nuclear .nergy i. fully appreciated and supported by the twelve States members of the Cogmunity. The inter.st of the Twelvo in the Agency's activities is amply te.tified to by the numerous initiatives proposed by them and now being carried out a. part of ita programmes. AmoDg th••• initiative., the Twelve wish to recall the convening of a Conference on nuclear safety scheduled for September next year, end the adoption by the General Confer.Dce last September, by conseDSUS, of a r.solution on....sur•• to str.ngthen international co-operation in matters relating to nuclear safety and ra41010gical protection, with the final aim of outliniDg strategie. for groater and acre effective global co-operation. In this way the ConfereDC. OD Nuclear Safety will provide an opportunity for senior policy makers and exports to review the present statu~ of nuclear safety (Mr, Troxler, Italy) world wide and to identify priority areas. The Community and its members States expect that it will make an important contribution to the advancement of all aspects of nuclear safety. The report of the Conference should fo~ part of the Agency's contribution to the United Nations Conference OD Environment and Development in 1992. The adoption by the General Conference of a code of practice on the international transfer of radioactive wastes - in the drafting of which members of the Community played an active part - is welcomed by the Twelve. We live in a time of strong and deeply held public opinion about ecological issues and the delicate link between the environment and energy production. The Twelve consider that analysis and discussion of nuclear eDergy are inseparable from a global consideration of the relationship between present and future energy policy and the protection of the environment. This is particularly true in a world where energy consumption is expected to increase considerably and where many countries do not possess the diversity of energy solutions available in Europe. It is important that this growth should Dot result in inc~eased pollution, including an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and other environmental damage. (Mr. Traxler, Itll~) ODe aspect of environmental conservation is the need to ensure the highest posmlble degree of safety in ell kinds of nuclear installations, beginning with nuclear power plants. In this context, the Tvelve reaffirm the primary responsibility of IAEA member States for the safety of nuclear installations located within their territories, and the value they attach to the support the Agency can give to member States in fUlfilling th~ir responsibilities. The impact of th9 Chernobyl accident has demonstrated the importance of international co-operation in nuclear safety• • With regard to the follow-up to the work of lAEA missions which are asseasing the radiolOgical consequences of Chernobyl, the Twelve look forward to the early publication of their conclusionso They are participating actively in the current studieD on the safety conditions of nuclear power plants in Eastern European countries. The European Community and its member States are considering with particular attention the important changes in Central and Eastern Europe, which are opening the way to new co-operation, in particular, in the area of nuclear safety. The Twelve recognize their duty of solidarity towards those Central and Eastern European countries which requested our experience and assistance. This solidarity manifests itself in the prominent role of the Community and its member States in a programme of assistance for ecoDomic reconstruction for certain Central and Eastern European countries. One important sector of the programme concerns the provision of technical and financial resources for the improvement of the safety of nuclear power plants in the countries concerned. At the Dame time, however, the Tvolve reaffirm the responsibility of those countries for implementing the recommendations concerning their nuclear power plants. (Mr. TrAIler, Ita1r) The Twelve have noted with satisfaction the increase in the last few years of missions of the Operational Safety Revi0w Team (OSART), the Radiation Protection Advisory Team (RAPAT) and the Waste Management Advisory Programme (W»IAP) and the recent more frequent use of missions of the Analysis of Safety-Significant Events Team (ASSET). They consider that this ~~end reflects an awareness that efforts invested in safety and radiation protection contribute effectively to achieving the objectives set out in article 11 of the statute of the Agency. The Twelve also recognize the importance of further developing research on improvement of nuclear safety, environmental protection and design of all reactor types, includ~ng new reactor types. As acknowledged by the European Council in last June's Dublin Declaration on nuclear non-proliferation, the Twelve wish to stress once again the indispensable role of the Agency in the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the paramount importance of IAEA safeguards in ensu~ing the effectiveness of the non-proliferation regime, as well as the important contribution made in this connection by the safeguards system of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). The Declaration called for the application of safeguards on as universal a basis as possible, and ezpressed concern about the continuing riSk that more countries may acquire nuclear weapons. The Declaration also called'on all • States to join in efforts to eliminate the danger of nuclear proliferation. The Twelve member States of the European Community, parties or nOD-parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, are committed to permitting access to countries which request it to the benefits of nuclear energy, through equitable and stable regulations on international trade and in compliance with international obligations on Don-proliferation. They are, in fact, convinced that the poesibility of access to nuclear energy is only to be considered within the framework of such international regulations and obligations. The Twelve have a4heredto the nuclear suppliers' guidelines on exports, and have accepted international safeguards on their peaceful installations. Therefore, they hope that progress will be based on the following two principles: equitable and stable regulations for internationaL trade in nuclear materials and equipment; and international commitments to non-proliferation by the recipient countries. The Twelve are emphasizing their full support for the non-proliferation objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA statute, by making the benefits of the peaceful use of nuclear energy available to all States. They will continue to play an active part in the Agency and to support its initiatives. They attach particular importance to the Agency's safeguards system, which is of general benefit to the international community. Accordingly, they recall their desire that all non-nUClear-weapon Statas place all of their nuclear facilities under safeguards. The Twelve have also taken note with satisfaction of the declaration contained in the 1989 annual report to the effect that the Agency, in carrying out its safeguards obligation3, did not detect any event which could indicate the diversion of safeguarded nuclear material fer the manufacture of nuclear weapons or for purposes unknown. Other important events have taken place in the last few months, which are bound to have an impact on future Agency activities. We are referring to the Fourth Review Conference of the Hon-Proliferation Treaty. Although the Twelve regret that the Conference was not able to reach agreement on a final document, it did permit a thorough review of the implementation of the Treaty. It is particularly important that the material produced in Main Committees 11 and III be analysed by the Agency with utmost attention. --- (~ Trailer. Italy) In thi. CODD8ction the Twelve look forward to relnforciDg the role of the Agancy a. a maior guarantor ef an effective non-proliferation reghH. The Buropean COllllunity 04 its mamber State. vUl do their part to ensure that the Aqeney continue. to make a vital contribution to dialogue and co-operation in all regions of the world. In this contest the Buropean Community and its member State. underline the high priority they assign to the whole spectrum of IAEA activities in tho fie14 of scientific and technical co-operation. The 1989 annual report records a further increase of funds devotfid to technical assistance and co-oparation programmes whieh, for the first time, reached a total of '50 millioDe As they are emoDg the major contributors to the.e programmes the Twelve are proud of thas8 attaiuments. Furthermore.. the AgeDcy's technical assistuce programmes are useful reminders that, in addition to the power applications of nuclear energy, nuclear techn!~u8S are increasingly being used to combat disease and improve human welfare in many • parts of the wor14. As vas just recently recalled by the representative of the United Stat.es, the involvement of the Agency in the programme for the eradication of the New World Screwwo~ from North Africa is a case in point. The valuable cont~ibution being made by the Agency in promoting research activities and transfer of science and technology through its International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste and the Seibersdorf and Monaco Laboratories ls highly appreciated by the Twelve. Let me conclude by statiDg the fi~ wish of the Buropean Community and its member States that the close co-operation which exists at present between them and the Agency will continue to develop successfully. Mr· my (C.echoslovuia) a The annual report of the International Atomic BlIlergy Agency for the year 1909 now before us.. which was introduced by the Agency's Director G8neral~ Mr. Rans Sltz, in his usual interesting and highly inapiriDg f~ahion, de.cribes in a lucid and comprehensible way the wide r8nqQ of the Agency's activities, as vell as the undoubtedly positive and, in numerous cases, even outstandiug results achievGd by the lAEA during the past year in the diacharge of ita statutory functioDS. The report indicates that the Ageucy is coping in a ca.petent fashion with the problems and tasks gcnerated by developments in the field of nuclear energy. ~t ~. .i~ . The General Conference of the Agency~ while appreciating the 8uc~ssses, aleo addressed the persistent problems and obstacles that impose limitations on the Agency's activities. The most serious of these problems a~e those relating to the funding of the individual areas of the Agency's activity. The report of the Director-General of the Agency on measures to intensify international co-operation in matters of nuclear safety approved by the 34th General Conference of the lAEA is, in our view, an important document, formulatinq in clear terms the strategy for international co-operation in this field in the 19908. The Czech and Slovak Federal Republic approves that strategy and the new initiatives for handling the crucial safety issues in the coming years. By the same token, we agree with the conclusion that both the e~tent and the effectiveness of the assistance provided by the Agency to the member States should be further increased. We value~ among other things, the enhancement of the Agency's services aimad at improving the operational saf"ty of nuclear power plants, of which the Operational Safety Review Teams (OSART) are an example,; because of their high degree of professionalism and objectivity, these enjoy an excellent reputation. We welcome the approval of a broad eztrabudgetary project to for improvement of the safety of older types of nuclear reactor, which i~ the initial phase will focus OD reactors of a type in operation in ODe of Czechoslovakia's nuclear power stations. C.echoslovatia supports the Agency's activities and its Dew projects aimed at defining in objective terms the role of nuclear energy as it changes against the background of growing environmental threats. In our opinicD3 the ideas voiced on this subject by Dr. Bliz at the General Conference of the Agency deserve everyone's attention and should prompt responsGs at the national level. " (Mt. KUkaD. Czechoslovakia) In the spirit of lca new foreign pol!cy, Czechoslovakia haa this year taken several steps aimed at facilitating safeguards activities and helping to increase their effectiveness. In this context, my country has accepted the simplified procedure of designation of the Agency's safeguards inspectors. With reference to today's speech by the Director General of the lUll, Mr. Hans Bli~, I would like to announce that, as from 15 August this year a visa-free travel regime has been in force for staff members of the organizations of the United Nations system - that is, for holders of United Nations laissez-passer coming to the Czech and Slovak F~deral Republic on official business. In the context of the process of introducing economic reform in Czechoslovakia the nuclear energy programme, too, is being reconsidered, in ~ effort to meet not only the energy neads of the country's economy but also the demands of both Czechoslovak and the world public in ~espect of the conservation and improvement of the environment. The objective is to dete~ine the optimum scale of nuclear-based power generation, taking account of both the potential riskD and the favourable affects the use of nuclear energy can have for the environment. We are gradually introducing a strategy marked by growing emphasis on a consistent pursuit of measures aimed at ensuring the safety of existing as well as of future nuclear power stations. In so doing, the Czechoslovak Government will take into consideration, among other things, the outcome of the examinacion to be carried out by the Agency's teams of experts - OSART - on the old types of reactors at the Caechoslovak nuclear power plant at Bohunice. With a view to obtaining equipment which will meet higher technological and safety standards, we propose to invite the leading m&Dufacturers from all over the world to bid for equipment supply contracts for future Czechoslovak nuclear power stations; we are abandoning our orientation OD the USSR aa our sole source of supply. .' (Mr. IUU, CllchosloyaJ;la) We are also beginning to give intensive Qonsideration to the subject of the long-term storage of spent fu~l on our territory. In this field too, we see an opportunity for co-operation with the Agency, especially through !nvolve~Dt in its Waste Management Advisory Programme. In this connection, I cannot fail to make at least a brief comment on the opinion that energy conservation and wider use of alternative sources of energy will make it possible to reduce the amount of fossil fuel burnt and to renounce nuclear ~nerqy. On this ~ubject, I believe that something Dr. Bliz said in one of his official statements was very much to the point. Re said: "We need to escape from the greenhouse, yes, but we need also to escape from the dreamhousell • What I have just said should not be taken to mean that we intend to go to the other extreme and regard nuclear energy as a panacea offe~in9 a simple remedy both for the energy shortage and for the threat of the greenhouse effect. We simply share the view that nuclear energy may be one of the possible alternatives in the effort to deal with the energy shortage and the threat of global warminqo We are confident that the lAEA will contribute towards clarifying these issues through its prograMme of assessment of the comparative risks of different sources of energy. The symposium on energy and the environment scheduled to ta' '} place in May 1991 with the Agency as a sponsor will in our view be another important step in this direction. The outcome of the symposium may be a valuable asset for the United Nations Conference on Envi~onment and Deve1~pment, which is to be held in 1992. We all know of the Agency's role in the non-proliferation reqime,based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and ezerdsed through the· Agency's safe9Ua~ds system. It iD commondable' that tho Fourth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Hon-Proliferation of NucleBr Weapons· expressed (Mr. btu, Czechoslovakia) confidence in, and reaffirmed the growing importance of, the safeguards system. This position had the full support of the delegation of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. In the course of that Conference, proposals were made to improve safeguards implementation; these will certainly be thoroughly analysed in the near future by the Agency's secretariat and its safeguards advisory body. Czechoslovakia advocates conceptual amendment of the lAEA safeguards system. As early 8S 1988, my country put forward its own ideas about how the system could be made still more effective through a selective approach to its application. We are gratified to note that this idea is now being developed by experts in the Agency's secretariat. I will concludo my statement with a brief outline of our expectations with regard to the prospects for international co-operation within the IABA. Ne welcome the beginning of work of drafting the Agency's iirst medium-term plan, to cover the years 1993 to 1998. The drafting of the plan, which is to be a baaically a strategic document, will not be easy, given that in an organization with 113 members it is inevitable that there will be differing opinions on the • relative importance of the Agency's objectives and functions and OD the distribution of resources among the different areas of its activity. (Mr. lukan, Czecho'loyakiA) We approve of the format and the scenario for the draving up ef the medium-term plan os proposed by Mr. BHz. We believe that within this framelroric a new assessment of priorities can be made in an effective manner, and we are therefore prepared to take an active part in the elaboration of the plan. In so doing, we intend to uphold the eJpinion that nuclear energy can be a safe, clean and competitive alternative to other sources of energy; as such, it maintains & position of importance also in the new concept of the economic development of Czechoslovakia. Since its founding the International Atomic Energy Agency has pla~ed a central part in the encouragement of intornational co-operation in the peacefUl uses of nuclear energy. In our opinion, it is sel~~evident that, as economic and environmental questions ac~uire global dimensions in an ever-increaBing measure, the role of the Agency grows increasingly important. The world now finds itself in a period marked by momentous positive changes in the international system. Nevertheless, CODcernm for international peace and stability are still felt, especially in t~e light of the developments in the Middle East. Thus, the importance of the Agency's second function - serving as an institutional barrier to the proliferation of nuclear weapons - also remains undiminished and, in fact, is becoming even more important. The Catch and Slovak rederal Republic appreciates the results achieved by the Agency under the leadership of Mr. Bans Blix in the period under review and wishes to reaffirm its support for the Agency's continued activities. Mr. IOSTQV (Bulgaria): I IJhould like at the outlJet to expres. the v BUlgarian GoverDment's appreciation to the Director General of the Internp-tional Ate.lc Energy Agency (IAEA). Mr. Bliz. for the ezcellent quality - which haa becqme traditioDsl - of the aDDual report on the work of the Agency. for 1989. Further. I :.' should like to reiterate our intention to continue to lJupport the efforts of the Agency aimed at contrihuting to international co-operation in the peaceful us.s of nuclear energy in the Dame ef the well-being of ~ll natioDs and the prevention of the proliferation of nuelear ....apoDs. I should also liko to ezprel!ls our'gratitude , to the IABA for its support and for the ezcellent co-operation it mai~talD. with my country. - , It appsars that in conditions of In~ufflci~nt'r~1~rapi«lYdeplet1ng hydro-and fossil-energy resoureea. Bulgaria will continue to give prominence to its nuclear option .s far as its power-generatioD industry ia concerned. Nuclear power gelleratioD. however, cU~lay liS beneficial soc1al rol.only If the 111ghe.t .ecurity atu4ardll are sot both: in th.,coaatructioD ad 11'£ th. op.~ilItiollal pha.es of the' installations. ,Ho ODe 1a Bulgada has GDr doubts about that. ne BUlgarian public: ,and particularly envlroDmental groups en4 no~nts tate aD activG interest ia the . . possi~l. ecolo,ical and humaD heal,th imPlications of the national power geaeration pol1c~. 'They Show particular interest lD the safety of theoperat1IUJpower stations .a veil as tho..that are DO- under construction. we alao believe ~at the concern about th••• iaeu•• expr••••clout.id. our country!. natural. I should like to emphasis. frOMthisrostr~that tb.Bulgarian' society is aD open ancl aeaocratic society that wUl do everytbift9 necessary to fiJ)d' thff 1I08t , ' appropriate solution to this 1.sue. 91v1ag top priority to the safety of the nuclear installations an6the security ef the peopi.. We maintainbroa4 (Hr· lo'I;OY· B91garia) co-operation with the IAlA ia that area. At thla very lIOIIeat, for G.up1., a group of IABA experts 1lJ .valuatillg the Ducl.ar pover statio,.. In K08104ui ad Belolla. !he group i. .xpected to provid. aD iDd.pelldent alld obi.ctive .zpert a••••~Dt of the t.ChA1cal .tat. and future use of those .tatioll.. Thi. a.......Dt vl11 certaialy •••iat IIJ'GoverDllellt ill the cour•• of 4.claloll-aaking 011 the future us. of Ilucl.ar JOWer pl8D~. la BulgAria. _ coati8•• to .ub.cdbe to the v!~v;t.het the r.spective national in.titutions are r••poa.1bl. for the .gC~it7 of the Ducl.ar iD8talle~ioD.. At the a... time, bow"l', I .~Q14 Ut. to point out that we are very' lat.re~t.4 iD bilateral od , " . InIltllateral co-operat.ion iD tlil.U.l4. we should Ut. to participate la the work of the .... 8I19i••r189 Safety hn!c., u _11 u ia the anly, e.tabli.hed _tr~talYproj.ct 011 the .ecurityof older !"eactol:',a. My COUDtry attaches - pai>tlcular ~rtaJac.,to u4 place•••dq)u.~pe. ia _la.loaD of the. Operational Safety '.91.. or.... 8Jl4- the Work of the IlIlterhtloaal .ueleer Saf.ty Ac1vl.ory , - . • • . . . 1 efforts 1.'re.peat of -~e 418".8.1- Of Duc~.a!' vaste. ft... 1'robl.... rtHJUire close Group. I aboul« alao lite to un4erlina our lnt.re.t iDead .upport for th~ XABA iDter.atlolUllco-operatloft ud,iD thla 'COu.8ct1oa, "',~1C" the prOlll1a1119 c~ac_Dt of, the work of _that IDt.rDat.~oaal ."'loactlv•.Jf••te, MaD&pwAOnt Mvlaory COIRltt••• , .~ 8u19&rl. rol~.,a~•• ita cODvletloDthat evea eoro efficlatDt-U•• ~hogld be made of the lAD. .afeguaI'4. -:ratua, which 1. a bade COMpOD••t of u.,5ffoeU"o 1.~.rD.t1o_1 reg_ of Doa-proUferatloDof .ucl.er ..apoDa. D1ecuflcloD. at the " FOurth ••Vi•• CoDfer~Dee of the parties to the Guel••r ~D-prol1foratloD ~r.aty furth.r deMOa.trated tbQ Tr.aty·. fuadaaectal rolo la the aoft-proliferatlon caus., ea ..11 •• the fact that It off.r. .Uffl~loDt DCOpe for broad laternatlonal co-operatioD ID the ,.acoful ua. of Duclear o.orgy. (Mr, Kostoy. BUlgarIa) Bulgaria has placed its entire nuclear activitios under the Agency safeguards and haB every reason to hope that ~ll States not possessing nuclear a~s viII volUlltadly place their nuclear installations UDder the I.AEA safeguards system. o'tle welcome the fact that during the inspactions carried out by the Agency in 1989 no significant violation vas found that might indicate misuse of nuclear materials or facilities ~ith the aim of producing nuclear veapons, , In conclusloD, I should once &qain again like to express the Bulgarian GoverDDent's appreciation for the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency and our lIupport for the further devolopment of international co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy_ Our aim is to broaden our co-operation with the Agency.. and my country is prepared to do everything in its power for the strengthening of the Agency and the further enhancement of its international prestlqe. ' u Mr. 'EOBNtJI)b (Finland): My deleqation wishes to congratulate the Director " General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ME'. Hans Bl1z, on the clear and concise report to the General Assembly concerninq the activities of the Agency in 1989. Ris statement today introducinq the report brought into focus not only a number of pertinent' aspedta of the Agency's activities but also the \ international situation bearinq OD the Agency's field of activities. The Director General draws our' attention to the recent developments in the region of the Pe~sian Gulf and to the consequences that this may have on the overall energy supply. It is evident that the oil-consuming part of the world once again has been taken by surprise. Like so many other countriesg Finland also let itself be lulled into a false sense of security by the many years of calm in the 011 market. The economic recession into which the world seems to be heading is certainly not a product of the rise in 011 prices, but it vill be aggravated by the increase in energy costs. In recent years environmental arguments have led to wider acceptance of nuclear pover; now nuclear power has one more and very potent argument in its favour 11 the economic adv~tage. My country's energy consumption has reached a point where a decision will have to be made as to how energy demand wUl be met in the future. The alternatives are very few - nuclear or fossil. Against this background my Government attaches. great importance to the symposium on electricity and environment to be held in Helsinki in 1991. . As it is being supported by 10 various United Nations and other organizatioDs the conference should be able to produce independent opinions on the environmental effects of different sources for electric power. The fact thet the IAEA takes part in the symposium as one organization among others will underline the neutrality of the " . I symposium. We hope that this co-operation OD energy questioDs will cODtiD~. within the United Nations system and that in that connection aU. energy' sources will be cODsidered on their own merits. (Mr. T9rpudd, Fiplend) The operation of the Treaty OD tLa Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was :~ reviewed recently for the fourth time. 7.he review was thorough and progress vas made with regard to a number of important issues, particularly in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. For example, there is. now broad agreement on the need for full-scope safeguards as a condition for exports of nuclear material, equipment and technology in significant quantities. My delegation considers this' an important step forward. The progress made at the Fourth Review Conference should be followed up in other international forums, the International Atomic Energy Agency in particular. Aa appropriate, States could also adopt recommendations made at the Conference as guidelines for their Dational policies. In this connection we note with great satisfaction that the safeguards activities of the Agency have continued almost unperturbed by the financial constraints under which the Agency is working_ Partly this is due to proqress made in developing the safeguards techniques and procedures, a wort which we would like to se. intensified. However, despite all the laudable efforts of the Agency's able staff, this cannot but postpone the moment when the financing of safeguards must be increased. My country has repeatedly voiced the opiDi~n that the member States of the Agency should be Dble first to decide OD what they want the Agency to perform and vith what priorities and then settle the budget accordingly. With the present budgetary constraints the order tends to be the opposite. We hope that in connection with the preparation of its medium-term plan the Agency w1l1 manBge to penetrate and solve the questioDs involved, inter Ilia. by evaluatinq the achievements under the p~' sent programme. My Government sees the work of the Agency on reactor safety as one of the main tasks of the Aqency. No other form of international co-operation. can be a (Mr. TOrnud4. riplagd) ,. substitute for this work. The Director General gave two ezcell~nt example. of ongoing work in this field: analysis of the after-effects of the Chernobyl accident; and evaluation of the safety of older-generation reactors. These .... ~. - ~ .. '. projects, both of great importance, are financed through eztrabudgetary means although it should be evident to all that this kind of work must be at the very centre of the Agency's activities. It must be made possible to finance such undertakings within the b~dget - either by changing priorities or by allowing for reasonable growth in the Agency's budget. Technical co-operation is, alongside safeguards and safety questions, one of the three corner-stones of the Agency's activities. The financing of technical co-operation through voluntary contributions has functioned satisfactorily and the programme for technical co-operation has steadily grown while its importance to the member States has increased. Alao, in the future great care should be taken to eDsure that the Agency's programmes fit harmoniouDly within national development plans and the activities of other organizations. Nuclear energy is not an end in itself, only a means to reach certain rea~lts. I have touched UPOD just a few of the Agency's many activities. The Agency is fulfilling its tasks in an acbr~rable manner and we eztend our thanks to its Director General and all his staff for a work well done. But this does not mean that we should disregard the problems lying ahead in the form of growing financial difficulties. These will have to be tackled very soon if we are to avoid a negative development in the Agency's activities. Ms. COURTt!EY (Australia) I The Australian delegation would like to express also its appreciation of the statement made by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IABA), Mr. Bans Bliz, and of the report of the IAEA. (Ms. Courtney, AustraliA) Australia, as a founding member, has long been a strong supporte~ of the Aqency and its statute. This derives not only from our commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons but also because of our responsibilities as a uranium exporter. Fundamental to that commitment and those responsibilities is OU1' continuing strong support for the Duclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the role the Agency plays in support of that Treaty. In this contezt the Aqancy's safeguards system is of central importance. It ls at the core of the arrangements established by the international community to provide the necessary assurance that peaceful-use obligations are being met. It is also an indispensable factor underpinning world nuclear trade and co-operation in the development of nuclear power to meet global energy needs. For these reasons it i8 important that safeguards continue to be funded from the regular budget on a reliable basis. Australia welcomes the recent conclusion of safeguards agreements with Kiribati, Malta and Togo and urges all Non-Proliferation Treaty parties that have Dot done so to negotiate the required INFCIRC/153 agreements with the Agency as soon as possible. We are particularly concerned that one NPT State which is operating an UDsafeguarded nuclear facility and which became a party to the Treaty almost five years ago has not yet concluded the requisite safeguards agreement. We hope this situation will be rectified expeditiously by the State concerned. (MS. Courtney, Australia) The Fourth Review Conference of the NPT concluded recently in Genf 'a. It was disappointing that despite widespread agreement among members on most of the issues before the Conference it was not possible to adopt a final document. But positive trends were evident. Some of the more important areas where agreements of relevance to the Agency's work were pinned down were: a common understanding on future priori-ties for peaceful nuclear co-operation, includinq in particular the needs of the least developed countries; concrete proposals for the strengthening of the barriers against the further spread of nuclear weapons; proposals for addressing situations where questions have been raised about a State's commitment to non-proliferation undertakings, including the idea that the IAEA could carry out special inspections under paragraphs 73 and 74 of INFCIRC/153 in the event of any doubts arising; suggestions for future IAEA activity relatinq to special fissionable material; and, perhaps most significantly, consensus on the need for nuclear suppliers to contribute fully to the non-proliferation goal by requirinq in future that nuclear supply take place only when accompanied by a legally bindinq commitment to non-proliferation and the application of full-scope safequards. The overwhelming majority of suppliers have already taken action unilaterally to this effect, and we hope that the small number of suppliers that have not dentl so will take early action in response to discussions at the Review Conference. The Review Conference has provided a solid basis for a successful conference in 1995, the prime purpose of which will be to extend the Treaty either indefinitely or for an additional fixed period or periods. In the years of its operation the NPT has contributed qreatly to enhancinq qlobal stability and security for both members and non-members alike. Australia is concerned that a number of countries with siqnificant nuclear activities remain outside t~e NPT, and we call on them to accede at the earliest possible date. ~, for conflict, the dangers of nuclear proliferation are only too obvious. It is therefore important that all States in the Middle East join the NPr and accGpt full-scope safeguards on all their activities. In this regard States Parties to the NPT should demonstrate by their actio~s and statements their clear commitment to its objectives. An essential part of the work of the IAEA is nuclear technical assistance and co-operation. Australia will continue to meet its assessed voluntary contribution to the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund, as well as to provide considerable eztrabudgetary contributions, especially to the regional co-operative 8greemant for Asia and the Pacific. Over the past year Australia has provided a wide variety of assistance through training schemes and in other areas. In conclusion, the lAEA is one of the mcst efficient and effective of the United Rations bodies. It is held in the highest regard i~ the international community, and this is in no small measure due to the work of Mr. Blix and the secretar.iat. The Agency can count on Australia'~ continued support in the challenging time ahead. Mr. ERrAN (Egypt): I should like to begin by' reiterating our appreciation, which we have expressed on numerous occasions, to Mr. Hans Blix, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for hi' excellent performance, and that of his colleagues, in conducting the work of the Agency. We wish to thank him, too, for the very important statement that he delivered this morning while introducing this year's repo~t. We reiterate our aupport for the Agenc7g and in particular ita work in the fi61d8 of safeguarda, technical assistance, nuclellr safety 8!l1d radiological protectlok>.' We elmphadze that these are the crucial ~actors .in ensuring the success of the developing cottntriea developing and impleme~tinq nuclear programmes an6 technologies designed for peaceful usee and to gua~ante~ that the~e technologies make the maximum contribution to th~ir economic growth and development. A very good demonstration of the ~gancy's role in technical assistance - which my delegation wtahes to highlight - ~~s ap~ars~t in the very useful contribution the Agency has made to the preparatory work relating to the establishment of a re9ional co-operation agreement for ~e member States in Africa. We share the Agency's view ~at ~is agreement will truly aUgm&llt its role in technical co-oper~tion in Africa and W~ believe ~at this will be to the benefit of the continent. The presence of unsafeguarded nuclecr facilities in the Middle B&st~ the Don-adhere:nce of Israel to the non-proliferation Treaty (NP'.r) and the recent trac;ic events in the Gulf region have given added weight to the argument that advocates the crucial importan~e of devising measures to aesure thet the nuclear progr~es and installations in the area are ezclusl~ely ior peaceful purpo3es. A firat atep in this direction we believe~ would be to epply the lAEA 5afeguard~ to all nuclear installations in the region~ vithout ezceptioD~ ~ re~uest that has been made and repeatedly reitereted by the Gener~l Aessmbly in itm resolutions concerning tha establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle Bast. We are plep'sGd to see in thi~ regard that ~e General Conference of the Agency hae renewed th~ mandate of the Director General to conduct further consultations with the States of the region with a view to applying Agency safeguards to all nuclear installations in the reqion. Wo hope that he will receive the support and co-operation of all p&.:,;;ies in this regard 0 I should like to conclude by ~ayin9 that~ without prejUdice to the very fine work carried out by the Agency~ &c ie the case for all bodies wi~lD ths UDlt.4 (Mr. '[f§D. Egzpt) Nations system, the changinq times and momentous developments in the world community must be taken fully into account by the Aqency. One area in whi~ we" :-. believe it could make an invaluable contribution is in developinq verification procedures for the disarmament aqreements that are beinq or have recently been concluded, particularly those of a req10nal or multilateral character. Fin~lly, we hope that the members of the Aqency will qi78 serious consideration to the issue.