A/46/PV.34 General Assembly

14.  (continua) REPORT OF TBB IBTERBATIONAL ATOMC ENERGY AGELCY: {a) ROTE BY TBB SECBBTARY-GRNRRAL TRANSMITTING TBB REPORT OF TBE AGENCY (A/46/3531 (b) DRAFT RES~LIJTION (~/46/~.10) Mr. MONTtiO (Mexico) (interpretation from Spanish): As in previous years, my delegation would like to put on record our thanks to Mr. Hans Rlix, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). for his detailed account of the activities of the Agency. The annual report of IAEA and the statement by Mr. Blix demonstrate the high degree of professionalism and devotion with uhich the Agency's administration is discharging the important responsibilities entrusted to it by its member States. At a time when the Agency has been called upon to perform functions that are of the highest importance to international peace and security, we must emphasise our recognition of the work that , vith limited resources, the Agency has carried out. This demonstrates the Agency’s effectiveness and gives rise to concern about tbe allocation of human and financial resources to ensure that it is able fully to discharge its mandate and fulfil its objectives. We remain firmly committed to providing adequate finance for the Agency and to strengthening its programmes, which are matters of universal concern. It seems premature at this stage to drav up a balance sheet of the lessons learned from the conflict in the Persian Gulf with regard to the information that has been obtained about the nuclear capacity of Iraq. Bovever , in compliance vith the mandate that floved from Security Council resolutions 687 (1991) and 701 (1991). the Agency has had to do unparalleled WOTL, rovoallag hitherto-unknown srpoct, of the l cope and limits of the rsfaquerdr ryrtm. The information that ham beoo gained about failure to comply with the obligations undrrtskoa by a State 8ignatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear Weapona Is cause for concam, and calls for calm and well-balanced thought about the beat ray to avoid a repetition. ( r!L Montaiio, Mm!.i I; Y ) Thers cannot be the slightest doubt that. it hns been posaihle to evade the safeguards nysten of the non-proliferation Treaty (NIT), whose applicatic,n la entrusted to IAEA. It is possible that we are not dealing uit.ii only one case, and this is cause for deep concern. My country has stated repeatedly in the past, and does so again, that we must strengthen the system, with due regard for the diffel.eoces in the financing capacities and nuclear installations of the developed and the developing countries. We believe we must continue to expand the safeguards system in order to achieve a more transparent, universal system. Mexico considers, however, that an effective safeguards system requires ~:ommitteQ action on the part of the international community as a whole. without exception. While it is true that one State has violated its respousibilities under international law, we must admit that, in political circumstances unlike those prevailing today, there was an extremely tolerant attitude towards the supply of resources and infrastructure that made it possible for this violation to occur. Let. there be no doubt: there are DO r-nasons that can justify the infractions committed. But my delegation wishes to emphasise that we must seek mechanisms to strengthen the safeguards system. Let us accept the urgent need to review carefully the actions and obligations that we all share regarding international security. In other cases, the United Nations has recogaized the wisdom of international cooperation in fighting problems that affect all of us. In this case, too, we must seek joint solutions that involve the commitment of all Member States. ( t!%d!tQmf!s,.. !!&I& Q ) At the eamo tit-w, my delegation does not believe that, in trying to strengthen the safeguards system, we should take hasty action that weakens the sovereign rights of States. We must remember that what happened in Iraq was an extraordinary case that forced the intervention of the Security Council. That experience showed that we could make an exceptional response to an exceptional occurrence. However , we should not try to subordinate the normal, regular actions of the IAEA to special procedures, such aa those used in the case of Ira9, which was the exception to the rule. The IAEA safegurrds system is a response to normal needs, as stipulated in the non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and in agreements between countries and IAEA. We should adhere to this system. As in other cases that have proved responsive to joint action, we can find a satisfactory balance botween our need for greater security and respect for the domestic jurisdiction of States. On the other hand, Mexico considers that any effort to strengthen the safeguards system of the Agency should not prejudice its other activities. Thus, due account must be taken of the necessary balance between the major activities of thb A9ency. In particular, my delegation holds firmly to its position that we should not reduce available resources for technical assistance and cooperation; these are fundamental activities of the Agency and are of the utmost importance and necessity for the developing countries. As we have pointed out in the past, security and tll*velopment 90 hand in hand. They can have no separate existence. Without a doubt, one of the lessons to be learned from the Agency’s activities in recent months, by mandate of the Security Council, is that we nust promote more decisively the programmes designed for peaceful applications of uuclear technology. The (Hr..~k,&&Qa . ..hiftrbr.Q ) contribution that the Aq~~ocy can maker to the develoyracsrrt of cur count-ries 1s orsont$al and should not be ~educo~ for way rearron rhataoevsr. It haarm repeating that much n reduction would only undermine the Aqency’r coatribut.ioxr towards the security of our States. The 4ency, as cap be seen from its report, continues to make a fundamental contributioa in matter8 of food and sgriculturr, health and medicine and industrial and scientific development.; and it also iuspires ths confidence needed for the utilisation of the atom as a source of energy. We maintain that the Agency’s programnon of technical cooperation should be expanded and strengthened. This would help to consolidate a mora stable, mote secure internntiQna1 order within the framework of shared development. This is an area that calls for greater resources and it could very well benefit from tho recent positive developments that we have seen in disarmament. The Agency is called upon to play a central role in the establishment of a more secure, peaceful, stable international society. We must ensure that, as it assumes additional responsibilities, we do not lose sight of fundamenta I objectives such as the promotion of the peaceful, ronstructiva use of nuclear energy. The Agency must keep apart from political debates and circumstantial considerations. Its objective and responsible work must not be compromised. Its mandate inust maintain the balance that has been the source of the support and confidence it receives from all States. Wa are sure that all States share this view and that it will be able to live up to our expectations and the requirements of the new international situation. &nw (Finland) I My de’agation wishes tu conqrstul.~t.e the Director General of the Xnternational Atxsic Energy Agency (IAEA) and his staff on outstanding work during the past. year. New vistas hsva been npcrned for the hqeocy’a work. Io the Director General’s worda, the central task of the Agency has always been to contribute t.o the taming of ouclear power. My Goverrbnent sees this task as two-lold: to enhance confidence in nuclear non-proliferation arrangements, particularly the Treaty on thr Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapon.P, through aafeyuards: and to promcte the safety of rwzlear power generation. It is FIO longer appropriate to assume that an interqovernmeota~ organisation should promote the use of any given technology a6 such, ln the case of the Agency the best way t.v ensure a future for the peaceful use 3f nuclear energy is to make it generally accepted as environmentally safe. Thr* technical cooperation role of any oryanizntioa should be derivnd from its fundamental objectives. The Helsinki Senior Expert Symposium on Electricity and the Environment last May concluded, among other things, that nuclear power is the most likely non-fossil source which can be deployed on a large scale and with costs competitive with fossil fuels for base-load generation. This is the very reason why we need IAEA, with its two main functions: safeguards and safety. The Director General has on a number of occasion8 expressed his conviction that the present safeguards system should be revised. He did so most recent1.y yesterday. WC support fully the proposals macie in his statement. Indeea, the Agency ’ s inspections in . nq under Security Counci 1 resolution 687 (1991) have brouqht. to light facts that raise questions about (Mr,--) the very foundations of the Apency’a current safeguards system. Iraq’s clmdsntine putsult of nuclear ueapoas, in brarea coatraveatioa of its Treaty ah1 iqirtiona I is a c’lu,sllangs to IARA rtr1,r.h it must not fail to meet. Ha noie with mpp~eciahion the work that IAEA, in cooperation with the Unltcsd Hstiow Speclsi Co~iaslon, ha8 already Aoae in uncoveriag Iraq’s non-compliaur~.* with it.13 nuclenr noa-Ypraliferation conwnitmeata. It is in recognition of that- ;a’~e thnt Fi.nland haa joined in spon8oriag this year’s draft, rsroXut1oa on the report of IAEA. In this context it ia importent to stress once agnin that. the conf:Zusion of n safeguards agreement is a legal - and uaconditioaal - obfigatioa under the non-proliferation Treaty. Acceptance uf safeguards should not be made conditional on the handling of extraneous i?lltUtlll. Pinland supports the working out of a binding framework convention on nuclear safety as a necessary step forward for the continued use of nuclear euerqy. The Director General referred to recent studies by the Agency that hi,ve revealed serious safety risks in a number of nuclear power plants. The Agency has donc valuable work in connection with the WWER 440/230-type reactors. We hope that similar efforts will be undertaken with regard to the RBMK-type reactors. Because of its geographical proximity to installations with this type of technology, Finland has a particular interest in their safety. The tranafer of nuclear techniques for development has often been mentioned as the third important task of IAEA. The Agency s technical cooperation programme is indeed valuable. Because of the complexity of t.le use of nuclear energy, however. the major part of the Agency’s technical cooperation projects have focusr>rf on non-energy activities or equipment. In our viaw the Ac~ency’r technics1 cooparation programne rhoflld bo more closely linked to its ptinsry field of coatpetenco. The Iatsrnstioaal Atomic Energy Agency har a rpecial role within the United lstiona familyr itr objectives are related to oaa technology only, Thie technology is applied in a number of area8 which fall within the competence of other intergovernmental organisationa. Continued close cooperation is necessary in order to introduce the right technology in the right context within the framework of the overall needs of the recipient country. Mr. ERWS (Hungary) I The Hungarian delegation listened with iatereet to the excellent introductory statement by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (ImA), Mr. Hans Blir, and also has atudied attentively the annual report of the Agency for 1990. I wish to express our appreciation of the report, and our satisfaction with the Agency’s activities. It gives me pleasurs to congratulate -he Director General and through him the highly motivated staff of IAEA OY the exemplary, and if need be, self-sacrificing work they have undertaken to meet fully the extraordinary challenges of the last year. In the course of the year that has elapsed since the previous report was discussed here, dramatic changes and developments have taken place in the world which have a direct bearing upon the Agency. For the first time the Security Council of the United Nations established that a party had violated the nuc?ear non-proliferation Treaty. The conclusion was based on the evidence discovers, by a series of special inspection missions of IAEA in cooperation with the Special Commissior nf the Stcurity Council. The violationa of Treaty obligatlonr, howuver, did not maim even after the unsnimoua adoption of the relevant reaolutic)na, in particular Security Council resolution 707 (19911. In view of this fact, sod aware of the unusual circunrtances that chsractorine the monitoring miemiona, we wtsh to pay a tribute to the Director General of IMA and to the as&era of tho special inspection team8 for having conducted in a highly competent and skilful manner the ertremely sensitive and complex tasks entrusted to thorn by the Security Council. In its recent reaolution 715 (I9911 the Security Ccuncil approved detailed plans for future ongoing monitoring and verification of Iraq’s compliance with relevant parts of previous resolutions and requested further contributions from the Agency. The Hungarian delegation feela assured that IAEA for ita part will not fail to live up to the expectations of the world community as expressed by the Security Council and will carry out its tasks in an effective manner in order to help prevent any possible revival of the clandestine programme. We are in full accord with all the stipulations of the resolution, including those relating to financial implic?,ti%ns. (Mr. Erdos, Bunaarv) 3he ltagi vi~olation of its safeguarda agteement haa reveale$. the need to take urgent measures aimed at strengtbeaing t&e Agency's safeguards system as a whole. Tbis nesd has also been expressed by others, ana we fully c&ire the view that mw it is tie future credibility of the Agency which is at stake. IAEA should be able to adapt itself to the fumhnental changes of last gear and to the new reguirements steaming from them. IO this context we associate ourselves with delegations such as those of the Eurapean Community that suggest that a set of measures should be implemeated without any delay. Most of all, we support - as, in fact, we 8Lreaay supported, long before the Gulf war - proposals concerning a more precise drafting of procedures ta invoke special inspections in the event ot doubt arising regarding full compliance uith obligations undertaken in safeguards agreements with the Agency. Hungarian delegations in Vienna have more than once explained our understsnding and our interpretation of this matter. and have also expressed our readiness to participate in this process. During the past year, dramatic events and unprecedented developments have characterized our world. It is. therefore. a source of real satisfaction that, in spite of all that turmoil, we can note significant advances in the field of nuclear disarmament. In addition to specific measures such as the Strategic Arms Reduction (START) agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States and the announcement of a whole set of major steps by the same countries, a number of other States have also contributed towards the universalilGy of the Treaty on the Ron-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We welcome the announcement by Ptran~ and China of their wish to accede to the Treaty. This prospect in itself is already having a beneficial effect upon the biscus~sions coassming possible ways and meam of strengthening the safeguards regime. FJ% are also glad to note that a number of States in southern Africa have sigsted the non-proliferation Treaty, and wish to call again on those States that havr not yet done so to follow suit. Hungarian delegations at various forrams have repeatedly expresse& the view that all States parties to the Treaty should fully impl%m%nt all the obligations undertaken through their adherence to it. One of the most important obligations for signatories is the conclusion - including aloo undelayed ratification - and unconditional implementation of safeguards agreements, as was rightly smpiaasised by the Board of Governors of the Agency in a resolution adopted in September. Bearing in mind all the challenges to aad opportunities for the non-proliferation regime, the Agency should carefully consider the numerous proposals that have been advanced about the necessary short-, medium- and long-term actions to adjust t&e existing safeguards regima. If it daes so with renewed vigour aad determination. the Agency could play a vital role and ensate that the historic opportunity is not lost. In our vi%u. the very concept of the whole safeguards approach ought to be re-examined oa a long-term basis with an ey% on the future beyond 1995. Those who are involved in the maintexlance and improvement of the present practice know very well that even the smallest correction to the regime is a really complex and difficult task. Tba case of Iraq has proved that tbero is a need to look into the Zong-term possibilities for adjustment of the present safeguards approach, including criteria, methods and procedures. Such a mighty project could be undertaken by the Agency only in close cooperation (MK-.LrdoII) with experts from mamJmr Stataa. Hungary atrongly aupporta the project and is ready to take part in it. The fundamental changes of the last tw years have created a watertithed for IAEA, for the whole non-proliferation regime and also for the safeguards system of the Agency, which is one of the pillars of that regime. For the 1995 extension conference of the non-proliferation Treaty to be a real success, action must be stattc* at the Agency as of today. Let ma amphasize here that Hungary is ready to make all the necessary efforts to facilitate the establishment - in the medium term, at the appropriate time, directly under the Director General - of a more intrusive, independent inspection capability, starting with the collection and assessment of safeguardn-related information originating from the Governments of member States. In this context, the shocking experiences of the Agency’s special inspectisn teams in Irag underscore the urgent need to restore, and without much delay, confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency’s safeguards regime. The essential national security interests of countries such as mine urgently demand the establishment of a new, more penetrating interuationnl inspection and verification refjime. Consequently, we strongly support every effort to strengthen, by stich means, the force GE deterrence against any clandestine activities by States in breach of their international obligations. On a short-term basis, it is now timely for the policy-making organs of IAEA to consider. preferably at their next meeting, in December, a;ld then decide _’ hopefully, in February - the specific ways in which special inspections are t.o be carried out. We feel t.hat this is the issue which is (Mr. Erdix%. Hunaarv) th8 ripest for action in the shortest time. %et us hope the opportunity will not vanish. We should be aware #at the work of the Board of Governors can be successful only if the r%levaut proposals and documents are prepared and distributed among member States by the beginnimg of W~vember at the latest. Turning now to the subject of an international safety convention - another crucially important issue for the Agency - I wish to express our support for the idea of a framework convention, as was proposed recently at the international nucleor safety Conference in Vienna. Again. we hope the Secretariat will be able to prepare an outline for such an instrument and offer suggestions as to subjects that might be covered. We agree that the commitment of the parties to such a convention may invoke only a step-by-step process towards standard international nuclear safety, including the safe disposal of nuclear waste. Nevertheless, specific obligations in this regard might be entered and later revised, without great difficulties, in binding protocols attached to the convention. We share the view of the Director General that a framework convention of this kind may mark the beginning of a recagnition that some standards and rules in the field of nuclear safety must be defined internationally and must be mandatory. Hungary also agrees with an approach which would at first include only basic rules and standards, to be expanded later as experience is gained. There is no doubt that substandard nuclear safety practices should not be accepted anywhere in the world. ( k!lKLx.L.d.Qk-~~~~ 1 Before concluding my statement. may I mention the extrabudgetary projects concerning the safety of first-qeneration water cooled and moderated reactors, carried out successfully by the Agency. We can agree that such projects ought to be coordinated more efficiently in the future, taking into consideration the positive experiences of countries which operate next-generation power plants from the xame supplier. In view of the large number of initiatives in this field. it seems appropriate for us to establish a focal point within the framework of I?.I;A to concentrate the necessary information and reletant experience, as well as to determine the priority safety needs of the individual countries. Finally, let me simply state that we gladly accept the Agency’s annual report for 1990, and as an expression of our esteem for its valuable activities, we have readily joined the sponsors of the draft resolut-ion. Mr. AKAEV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretation from Russian) : I am addressing the Assembly today both as a member of the State Council of the USSR and as a Head of one of its Republics, the Republic of Kirghizstan. Therefore. 1 propose to dwell on two sets of issues. The first. is related to monitoring th,: use of atomic energy and the second to maii‘ia ninq and expanding cooperdtiun between the sovereign Republics that used to make up the Soviet Union. In real life these two groups of issues are closely interrelated and contingent upon each other in a unique and remarkable amalgam of human existence. A question may arise as to whether relations between the Soviet Hepublics have much to do with the IJnited Nations agenda. (HILAbYLYIi~) In thie coanectlon, let IW rocsll what Franklin D. Roosevelt said in Chicago on 5 October 1937. Prophetic Indeed were hir word*. that irolation of the United States or any other nation from economic and political upheavals affecting any other part of the world could be fatal for everyone. Politicians throughout the world and within the United Nations are wondqrinq where the Soviet nuclear weaponr and the entire USSR military machine will end up should the Republics fail to agree on a military and political union. In fact, such fears are uot unfounded. IO his 1950 Nobel lecture. William Faulkner spoke of a tiny elament which, dissolving into a deadly cloud, might strike the final hour on the clock of civilization. God forbid that we shoulC ever see this warning come true. Before turning to the subject-matter of my statement, it is my duty and privilege to make a brief comnent on the IJnited Nations activities at larqc, remembering that on 24 October we will be celebrating IJniteil Nations Day. A th?rouqh and comprehensive analysis of the changes happening in the world today will show that the role of the United Nations is obviously increasing. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar has rightly pointed out that the democratic transformations in the world, vhich started in 1985, largely on the initiative of President Mikhail Gorbachev, have brought the cold war to an end, and ended a period of stagnation as far as the United Nations is concerned, giving the Organization a new lease of life. Indeed, the ending of the cold war has destroyed the bipolar configuration of the world which had crippled international relations for decnCes. It, has released t-he Security Council from the grip of paralysis, bringing out the United Nations peacemaking potential. The forty-rixth ~~aenion of the General Assembly ha@ highlighted the international comunity’s prioritier for what nay be called a post-confrontations1 ltsgs in world dovelopnnnt. Three area8 are of crucisl lmportancer the maintenance of international peace and security; protection of h-an rights; and such global issues as disarmament, environmental protection and crime control. We welcome the emerging consonsue that on it@ long-term agenda the international community should map out specific area8 which call fo- concerted action. We could not agree more with political leaders who say that the “democratic consensus” that haa developed in the vorld must nou be complemented with a genuine revolution in social fairneaa and economic development . In this context, we cotmnend President Bush’s idea of building a “pax universalis”. The Soviet delegation, which I am deeply honoured to represent, is satisfied with the statement made by the Director General of the International Atomi- Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Hans Blix. We would like to commend Mr. Blix for a document of traditionally high quality which fully reflects the extremely useful work done by an authoritative international organization. The Republic of Kirghizstan follows very cl,sely the activities of the IAEA. The uranium used in the first Soviet nuclear bombs and *he first Soviet nuclear power stations czune from our Republic. I must also add that our Republic, together with the rest of the S viet Union, highly appreciates the IAEA’s efforts to monitor the Iraq? nuc’anr arsenal, pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The role of the IMA in verifying the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons ir becoming unlvor8ally rocogafsed. Todsy, the JAVA har become en efcective guarantor of reductions in nuclesr arsenals. We see the princlpnl objectives In this area in globalising the efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation regime, making the 1968 Treaty an accord of unlimited duration, and having the 1995 Review Conference legally confirm that status. Some very promising trends hsve emerged in this area lstely. Two nuclear Powera, France and China, have declared their intention to become parties to the non-proliferat.ion Treaty. South Africa, Moxambique, Tanzania and Zambia have accedad to the Treaty. (&Sk. Aksev, USSR) In an alarming contrast, the developments in the Gulf region stand out against the background of real progress in strengthening the non-proliferation regime. The Iraqi assault on Kuwait and the resolute action taken by the Security Council to thwart the aggression have ma&e it possible for the IAEA Board of Governors to concluele, on the basis of the Agency's inspections in Iraq under Security Council resolution 667 (19911, that Iraq is not honouring its commitments under the agreement on IAEA safeguards. I am quite certain that these incidents do not indicate as inherent weakness in tbe IAZA safeguards but rather demonstrate the possibility of circumventing tbe system. We note with satisfaction that the IABA Director General considers that it is a matter of priority to increase the efficiency of safeguards and has begun preparing proposals to that end. The wealth of experience gained in implementing IAEA safeguards and the Agency’s unique potential could also prove useful if used in the domain of fissionable materials. We urge that these issues be placed on the negotiating table without further delay. As may be seen from the annual report, the Agency was generally successful in managing international cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy during the period under review. Once again it has demonstrated its ability to respond promptly to tbe changing situation and to new challenges. Speaking about the peaceful uses of atomic energy, I cannot fail to mention with profound emotion and grief the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Today, about five years after it struck vast areas of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, this unprecedented disaster is still perceived as a symbol of human tragedy. The major objective of each sovereign republic is to reauc0 to a minimum the aiivrtrse effect8 of the disaster. within the integrated goverment programme for Chernobyl. Since May 1986 more than 25 billion roubleo baVe been earmarked for the programme, which cover8 a wise range of issuea. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cueller, the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation for Chernobyl, Margaret Anstee, and also IAUA and other specialised agencies, for their efforts to mitigate the consequences of the disaster. On behalf of the Soviet delegation, I should like to commend once more the IAEA report for 1999 and to go on record in support of the draft resolution.* The second part of my statement will be devoted to the problems of a new Union of sovereign republics in the context of international security. Prospects for a democratic and civilized world order are closely linked to future relations between sovereign republics. former constituents of the Soviet Union. The world is going through amazing metamorphoses. For many years it was generally felt that the major threat to international security was a potential large-scale Soviet attack. Ironically, now that this danger has vanished into thin air, the major new threat to world peace is seen in the runavay disintegration of the social apa political structures of the Soviet Union. * Mr. Pennaneach (Togo), Vice-President, took the Chair. (Mr. Akaev. USSR) We have heard representatives of many countries stress that inthe interests of stability ana world order the new Soviet Union must remain a single subject of international law. They have said that a new, looser Soviet Union must nevertheless remain a federation. Regrettably, these o&servers tend to perceive events in the Soviet Union in an oversimplified manner. In the meantime the sovereign republics, Kirghizstan in particular. are. in the words of the great Leo Tolstoy, reading tbe lifebook of worry, deception, misery and spite. It is not for me, travelling outside my homeland, to anatbematize communism with a Soviet face. We are all hostages to that inhumane ideology and its anti-buman system. We all, in one way or another, must share the blame for our past. Bowever, I must say that the defeat of what was the most heinous kind of totalitarianism in the history of mankind not oaly gave republics the joy of victory but also confronted those republics, including Kirghizstan, with economic, political and humanitarian challenges whose complerity has no precedent in post-war history. Yet we, the people of the Republic of Kirghizstan, are lcoking to the future with optimism and trust. You may ask where it comes from. Well, it comes from the great sense of freedom we have won for ourselves. You have only to imagine the value of that freedom. Therefore, please understand me when 1 say that it often makes little sense for outside politicians to judge what kind of configuration our union should adopt. Let me share with you my own ideas in this respect. The USSR as a State has, to all intents and purposes, ceased to exist. It was able to survive as long as it was propped up by the centralised party and government apparatus which controlled the military-industrial complex. (M~.Abaw~ .L!tZB) the army and stste security. How that the centre hsa collapsed under the ueiqht of crimes it conwitted against its own people, there is no holding back t.h- will of the republics which have found their freedom in a bid for political *nd economic independence. There is no bringing back the IJSSR as a State which rested on the foundations of the Russian empire. Any union of sovereign republics must now be based only O.-I consensus about their vital interests. That consensus has already led to the *;iqning of a Treaty on Economic Community. I am now praying that it may further result in the signin’ of a treaty on a defence union and a treaty on humanitarian cooperation between the sovereign republics. Xt is my firm belief that in the long-term security perspective the idcal solution for us, the sovereign republics, and for the rest of the world would be a confederation along the lines of the British Commonwealth. Hence, all treaties among the sovereign republics must inherently be part of international law. It also follows that the issue of llnited Nations membership for the sovereign republics must be seen in B totally different light. Representatives of international organizations and of many Member States feel that in the present citcumstsnces a request for United Nations member ship from the Soviet republ its, Kirghizstan in particular, would pose ~1 real dilemma for the United Nations as well as its Members. The Heads of $ome Member States suggest that the entry of Soviet republics into tie United Nations may cause a chain reaction in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Canada and other countries. Otbeis go so far as to say that such a course might raise the possibility of the states of this country, the United States, joining the United Nations as separate entities. With all due respect I must say that such statements can mean only that their authors are not entirely familiar with the unique and highly dramatic situation, a situation dangerous for the rest of the world. that is developing in my long-suffering country. I believe that tbe entry of Kirghisstan and many other sovereign republics into the United Nations would enable the world connnunity to put to use for the maintenance of international security the mechanisms of the Organisation that have stood the test of time. In that case, the great power of revived regionalism and tbe efforts of the United Nations could be pooled to secure peace on earth. Mr. AMKR (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (interpretation from Arabic): The delegation of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamabiriya would like to express its appreciation for the report made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the current session of the General Assembly, document GC/35/953. We should also like to express our satisfaction with the comprehensive statement made by Mr. Hans Blix, Director General of the Agency, on the Agency's activities in 1990. In view of the expanded nature of the Agency’s activities and the diversified fields with which the Agency deals, we find it difficult to take up all activities and fields in this statement. The IAEA performs a very prominent role in promoting cooperation in the fields of the peaceful applications of atomic energy, the safe use of this Jarnabirive) energy and the prevention of its proliferation and use for destructive purposes. Consequently, my delegation recognises with appreciation the prominent performance of the Agency's technical assistance and cooperation pregramm5, in particular in the areas of food. agriculture, mining, water resources, medicine, industry and others. We also extend our appreciation to the Agency for its symposia and seminars in nuclear applications for peaceful purposes. One of the principal priorities of the Agency is the entrenchment of the concept of international cooperation in the fields of energy. This multi-purpose priority, in one of its aspects, is demonstrated in the Agency's response to the needs of tbe countries of the vorld, in particular the developing nations. The Agency's task in contributing to the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, t?specially in the areas of soil fertility, food preservation and insect aad pest control, is a very important one. Like other members of tbe Agency, my country has benefited greatly from such activities. Yesterday, we listened here in the General Assembly to Mr. Hans Blix' review of the activities of the Agency and its cooperation witb other international organisations, especially in combating the screw worm fly in the territories of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and North Africa in the late 1980s. The technologies used in combating this dangerous worm have yielded successful results. As Mr. Blix stated in his introductory statement before this body, the damage caused by this pest in claiming the lives of over 12,000 heads of livestock in 1990, has been reduced this year to only six cases and after the first quarter there has not been one single case. (klLLM!Q&an.m llAlm&uAYn ) Dur dolegation takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to the International Atomic Energy kgoncy and its Director General for their efforts to combat and control this pest. We would also like to express our gratitude to all international regional organiaatioas that contributed to this effort and mado it possible to end the threat posed by this dangerous worm. Studies have shown that had we failed the health of man and animal would have faced great danger not only in Libya and Africa but also in the Mediterranean and Europe. In conclusion, X should also like to express our appreciation to the IAEA and declare our support for its efforts in promoting and strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We have clearly demonstrated our desire to cooperate with the Agency through our accession to the non-proliferation Treaty on 26 May 1975 and we are willing to do our utmost to aupport the Agency and to enhance its prestige. Mr. &.ATABQ (Japan): I am pleased to have this opportunity to state the views of my delegation on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IMA). I wish to begin by thanking the Director General, Mr. Haaa Blix, f :- hia statement, in which he ably described the report and clearly illuatrated the 4gency’s tasks and priorities. There is no doubt that over a period of more than 30 years the Agency has been successfully fulfilling its important mission as a technical and universal organization for the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy while contributing to uuclear non-proliferation. Aware of this Agency’s important role, my delegation wishes to reconfirm Japan’s continued support for the Agency and its various f B and activitiss in the dovrplopiwmt of peaceful usea af nucPear Permit ssow to present ary Govermnent"s position OR sorae important ismes that am currently facitq I&EL First of all, I would like to mention that I is corrfronted with a amu cballeng8 in the abea of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapoxis. Iraq's clandeati~ae actiwitiea, which are suspected of being related to the production of nuclear weapons, have been disclosed through on-site inspections by IAEA, based on Security Council resolution 667 (1991), foollowing tbe Gulf War cease-fire. Iraq is, however, a party to the non-proliferation Treaty and has signed a full-scope nafeguards agreement with IAEA. This viola&n by Irag undenniaea the non-prollferntion Treaty regime and betrays the trust of those Member States which a&here to their safeguards agreements and promote the peaceful usea of nucPeu energy. Yapaa believes that this violation by frag should be strongly condemed by the ieterhational community. This regrettable situation underscore8 tha importance of ehe non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the light of current iateruational circumstances. Moreover, as Prime Xinister hifu said in a statement to the United pations disa rmament conference held in Iyoto this June, we must recognise the need to enhance the effectiveness and srsdibility of the TARA safeguards system. Sapan considers it imperative to improve the 8yrtem at the international level in order to eu8ure the effective and efficient implementation of the safeguards. From the very beginning Japan has strictly liarited its nuclear-related activities to peaceful purposes and has made the utmost effort towards securing aon-proliferation. We welcome the important progre8s th8t has been made recently towards strengthening the non-proliferation Treaty regism. That South Africa and the frcnt-line countries in Africa have signed the Treaty is a significant step forvard. Furthermore, France and China, nuclear-weapon States uLich are not parties to the Treaty, now seem to b8 moving towards accession to it. Japan continues to appeal to those Member Stats8 vhich are **t patties to the Treaty to adbere to it as soon as possible. From the point of view of maintaining the reliability of the Treaty regime, it ir quite regrettable that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea continually fails to fulfil its obligation - the acceptance of IAEA full-scope safeguard8 - although it has already signed the non-proliferation Treaty and is engaged in considerable 04r. Hataao. Japan) nuclear-related activities. This affects the relationship of mutual trust ==-J=ry r States, and it reduces the prestige of the Treaty, which a large number of countries have adhered to. Japan requests that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea take prompt action to put the agreement into effect - namely, to sign. ratify, and implement the agreement without any conditions and without further delay. In this respect. Japan wishes to empress its regret that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has recently indicated its negative attitude towards signing the safequatd agreement with IAEA. In conclusion, in the face of these new challenges Japan intends to play a positive role while continuing to contribute to IAEA's important technical cooperation efforta and also to its work in the field of nuclear safety. Mr. MWNTSANtJ (Romania) (interpretation from Prench): I should like first to associate my delegation vitb the other delegations that have warmly thanked the Director General of the Int%rnational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for his important statement on the activities of the Agency. The Romanian Government greatly appreciatea the personal contribution of Mr. Hans Slim, and his tireless efforts to strengthen the Agency's role and its participation in solving the major problems confronting the international community, to enhance the Agency's contribution to the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy for the benefit of member Staten, and to increase that body's international prestige. Romania attaches particular importance to the Agency's wotk in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and intexnatfonal cooperation in that field. In this connection, Romania enjoys fruitful cooperation with various countrias, parti&latly Cauada. We hope that an increased contribution to our programmes will be obtained through active cooperation with the Agency. Among the Aqency's pregri3mmea and activities Romania places the higbest priority on those related to the enhancement of the safety of nuclear-power stations aad other nuclear installations; the protection of personnel, the Population aad the enviroment: the effective implementation of a safeguards system for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons: assistance and technical cooperation in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy: and research into and applications of nuclear techniques in socic-economic life. IAEA has become an indispensable part of the international system for cooperation and security in today's world in the fields I have just indicated. Romania considers the Treaty on the Mocn-Proliferation of ETaclear Weapons to be one of the Pillars of international stability and security. As a Party to that Treaty, my country complies fully and in good faith with the obligations it has assumed, and takes firm action to ensure that all the Treaty's objectives are carried out. We are convinced that the IAEA safeguards and effective verification measures are essential to the achievement of the objective of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We consider that the safeguards system must be further strengthened and expanded to ensure that all the nuclear installations of non-nuclear-weapon States are subject to the Agency safeguards. Recently, iarportant developments have occurred which can contribute to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in Particular, tbe adherence to the Treaty of Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and, more recently, Lithuania: the decision of Prance and China to adhere to the Treaty: the intention expressed by some other countries to become parties to the Treaty: and the negotiations initiated by Argentina and Rraril with a viau to concluding aafeguardr agreements with IAEA. no hope that the process designed to ~JCIIIU~O the cqncluslon of a safeguarda agreement between the Democratic People’s Repl!blic of Korea and IAEA will soon achieve positive results. All these politicrrl acts, which should be welcomed by IIS all, are important steps towards the universality of the Treaty. Deeply devoted to the aims of non-proliferation, the Romanian Government. has recently taken supplementary legislative, institutional and practical steps to conform to the most. rigid international atandarda for nuclear exports and to ensure their strict application. (Mr, Munteanu. Romania) For a year now my country has been participating in the Zangger Coaunittee"s activities. Romania has accepted the simplified procedures for the appointment of Agency inspectors. We support the Agency's implementation of provisions of the agreement in connection with unannounced and special inspections. Ke agree that there sbould be a system for universal notification to the Agency. Romania accepts and implements the principle of full-scope safeguards, which we think should become a basic rule of nuclear trade and cooperation. The annual report of IAEA and the Director General's introductory statement give us a picture of the wide-ranging and productive activities in which the Agency is engaged despite the obvious financial constraints. The Romanian Government is convinced that nuclear safety is essential to the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy. The establishment of the first nuclear-power station in Romania, with Canadian and Italian cooperation, is subject to continuous verification and supervision, in consultation with IAEA, to ensure that national and international standards are strictly adhered to. It goes witbout saying that the improvement in international cooperation does not exempt countries from the responsibility of applying effective safety and radiological-protection measures within their own borders. Nuclear safety is a matter that concerns not only Member States that have nuclear-power stations but other countries as well - particularly those that are susceptible to the risks of transborder effects, as was demonstrated by the Chernobyl accident. In this connection we should like to thank the Director General of the Agency for his favourable treatment of the joint request made to him by the Bomanian and Bulgarian Governments concerning multilateral, objective expertise wi.th regard to safety at Bulgaria's Kozlodui nuclear-power station. ( ML-mAtraau*. mJfta.nl A ) Still on the quertion of safety, I should like to indicate that the Romanian Government ham initisted the procedure for becoming a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Wucloar Matter, the Vienna Conventir)n on Civil Liability in the ?ield of Nuclear Damage aad the Joint. Protocol relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention. In his statement, Director General 811x emphasises that this year has been particularly important for IAEA. There can be no doubt that the Agency’s participation in the implementation of Security Council resolutiona is one of the reasons for that assessment. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Romania participated in the preparation and adoption of the resolutions relating to the Gulf war and its aftermath, including thoae 9ivinc3 the IAEA a mandate in this respect. We appreciate the Agency’s efforts und activities with a view to diacharginq its responsibilities under the relevant Security Council resolutions. Romania ia one of the sponsors of the draft resolution in document ~/16/L.10 concerning the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that the non-proliferation system and international concern about nuclear safety are of vital interest to the international community. The spirit of cooperation and the sense of the common good upon which IAEA is founded must prevail in hc yittics ahead. Hr. SOTIRQV (Bulgaria): The Republic of Bulgaria has stated repeatedly that it attaches great importance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a major world ir%stitution. We therefore are justifiably interested in the IAEA’s latest report, which comes as further evidence of the significant and instrumental role of that urganization in promoting peaceful nuclear activities while pr-evenCinq the prolifer;ltiou of (Ilr,._~flaay.l-Rulnnr.is) nut 1 enr weapons. I rhould lib, on bohelf of my Govermnt. t\r avail myself of this opportunity to thank the Director Genmral, Mr. Hans Blix, for his report. As ten be soon frw thirr report. thm Agency ir facinq up to the new challengea posed by the current stage in intsrnatiooal relations. In the neu conditions, r&tA bar clearly demonstrated itr potential and ability to take effective nc.tion vhere ouch action ir required. Bulgaria values highly its cooperation with the Agency and the sasistance it receives. A number of IAEA assessment rr~issions have been receiwd in my covzntry to inepact the technological safety, assess the seismic characteristics, and monitor the seismic resistance of installations, as well as the condition of the equipment and staff at Our nuclear-power plants, vhich accouzzt for more than 40 per cent of Bulgaria’s power-generating capacity. That is why I should like to deal briefly with the situation in this field. It is now known that the old VVR-440-type reactors are below modern safety stanclar,ds. They are therefore the subject of serious concern and debate among experts and the general public. The mission of the Agency’s operational safety review team (OSART), carried out in June this year, revealed a number of technical and organizational flaws, which, though not giving rise to immediate danger of an accident, are totally unacceptable if the consequences of a possible accident in the future are to be averted or mit.iyated. The Bulgarian Government accepted in full the conclusions and recommendations mad+ by the Agency’s team and has taken swift and re: lute action to eliminate the flaws that were found, regardless of the heavy strain that such act ion is putting on t.hr national economy. Reactors numbers I, 3 (Hr. Sotirow. Bulcfaria) a@ I were abat down iaarsdiately. and the closure of reactor number 2 is ~~~~ng* Wbetber reactors number8 1 and 2 remain in service at all will depand on wlaether they can be reconstructed and modernired. A series of urgent repair measures in the case of reactors numbers 3 and 4 have made it possible to put those reactor8 safely back on stream. Reactor number 5 - typ VVR-1000 - which is operational , an& reactor number 6, of the same type, which ia due to come 01) stream shortly, were also Inspected by a special IAEA team, which noted the good technical condition of the reactors and their smooth operation. Uone the less, we have since adopted a prografmne with a view to improving further the technical condition of these reactors. We hope that these prograunms will be carried out with assistance from the World Bank. A n&r of States - mainly Germany. the United States aad Japan - as well as the World Association of Huclear Operators (WAUO). provided prompt financial axed technical assistance to Bulgaria, with PAEA acting as an intermediary. We are deeply grateful for that assistance, nhicb has been of decisive importance to our taking successful and competent action on the most urgent problems, as well as on the entire range of issues, especially in view of the extremely difficult transitional stage through which the Bulgarian ecanomy ia passing. The Bulgarian Government fully supports the statement made by Mr. Baas Blix at the thirty-fifth session of the IAEA General Conference on the implementation of the WR-440 project launched by the Agency. We note especially his remarks coacerning the deep interest of other countries in the safety of aucb reactors and the need for international cooperation and assistance, under IAEA auspices. for countries operating such reactors. (hlr,rnKla) A nuclear accldmt, whorwer it happoaa, i8 Ilab to have tranrboundnry, wan global. coaa*pueacar. The Chernobyl tragedy mado thim all too painfully clear . Therefore, nowadays, intOtnatiOna1 cooperation in thlr l phoro ha8 more than econonlc or tochno-8cientific importance; it ha8 political and soclsl 8iCJ?lifiCfMC@ 0180. Guided by there ptinCip198, Bulgaria now pur8ue8 a policy of complete oponnorr on ruch matter8 and mkO8 8Uro that the goneral public i8 informed accordingly. It Ya8 lor thi8 re880a that Bulqaria joined the information rystem operated by the lkropean lucloar Society (MUCMST). The non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been successfully in force for over 20 yearn now. The practical results of the implementation of this legal instrument have proven its essential importance for maintaining peace and strenqtheainq international security. The nuclear-weapon States are taking steps in accordance with their obligations under the Treaty. We welcome the bold initiatives of the United States and the Soviet Union for significant reductions in their nuclear arsenals. China, France and the United Kingdom are contributing positively towards the strenqthecinq of the Treaty. He note with satisfaction the decisions of Albania, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanrania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to become parties to the NPT. Also of substantial importance is the fact that Argentina and Brazil are making positive changes in their national nuclear policies. Against this background, Bulgaria fully supports the inspection activities carried out by the Agency, aimed at detecting violations by States of their commitments and obligations. Any such violation is liable to arouse the suspicion that nuclear material is Lug abused for the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. My country supported the resolution adopted by the General Conference of the Agency at itc thirty-fifth session dealing with Iraq’s non-compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and under the safeguards agreement signed between Iraq and the Agency. Recent events, notably those related to threats to world peace and security, have once again highlighted the need for IARA to dirsct its efforts towards establishing such procedures and mechanisms as wouli rula out the possibility of non-compliance. It is necessary to enhance further the safeguards system in order to prevent the abuns of nuclear energy for military purposas. We are glad to note that at its last. General Conference the hyency adopted a resolution providing for such an upgrading of the safeguard8 system. Xn this connection, Bulyaria supports the Agency’6 efforta to conclude safeguards agree,nenta with individusl countries, especially those in politically sensitive area8 such as the Korean peninsula and the Middle East. Bulgaria, a8 a party to the non-proliferation Treaty, complies with IAEA safeguards in all its nuclear activities, which are exclusively for peaceful purposes. Jt has also brought its trade practices into conformity with the guiding principles of nuclear-related exportation and is an active participant in the process of updating export-control mechanisms related to nuclear materials, equipment and dual-purpose technologies. The Agency’s awareness of its great respozlsibility in promoting broad international cooperation and developing a comprehensive approach towards containing and mitigating the extremely dangerous consequences of a nuclear accident has led to the development and adoption of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiologica: Emergency, and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. Btilgar ia has szgned and ratified all three Convcrlt ions and, on the ba-,ls of phesr. Conventions, has signed bilat-era1 ayreements with a number of European countries. We deem it particularly important that these Conventions be signed and ratified by all States members of the Agency: only in that hay can they becoil);% truly universal in scope and applicat.ion. onerqy for pesceful put?oses and for safer and more efficient use of nuclear power, and the highly competent, timely and invaluable assistance that it. renders to its mcrnber States receive well-deserved acclaim from the international conxnunity. Guided by these considsrations, my delegation will vote in favour of draft resolution A/4G/Z..lO, under General Assembly agenda item 14, sponaored by a large group of States. plr, QUDQVENllQ (Ukraine): First I should like to express Ukraine’s appreciation to the Director General, Mr. Hans Blix, and his staff for their outstanding contribution to the activities of the International Atomic Enerqy Agency (XAEA.). The delegation of Ukraine has studied the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency submitted for our consideration, which reflects the work of the Agency during the year covered by it. Ukraine, as a member of the Agency’s Board of Governors, has played an active role in its activities aimed at the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the strengthening of cooperation in the field of nuclear -7d radiation security. We should like to note that these activities have taken place arjainst the background of sweeping changes in the world and new apprnnrhes t.o urgent global problems. The signing of the Strategic Arms Heduction Treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States was an event of historic impact and affirmed that an atmosphere of mutual responsibility for t-he solution of the global challenges faced by mankind has ccme into being. The latest proposal of President George Bush of the United States, supported by the leaders of the nuclear- t’s .-iers, notably Presiderit Miki:+il ~~orbnchev,, and aimed at the liquidation of substantial stockpiles of tactical nuclear we:-.3ns, ia a major step towards a more secure future. In Ukraine all initiatives that diminish the nuclear thtea": find whole-hearted support. It would be appropriate to recall, in this connection, that according to the terms of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Ukraine and the Act of Proclamation of its Full Independence, Ukraine intends to pursue a policy of non-participation in military blocs and to adhere to the three followi::g non-nuclear principles: not to accept, produce, or acquire nuclear weapons. The Agency secretariat is aware of tbe fact that we are ready to put under Agency control all nuclear installations in the territory of Ukraine. The problem of nuclear non-proliferation acquires special importance today. Mr. Leonid M. Rravchuk. President of tbe Verkhovna Kada of tlrraine, in his statement to the General Assembly of the United Nations at its current session reconfirmed that Ukraine stands for strengthening the non-proliferation regime and for converting the corresponding Treaty into an undated agreement. We welcome the accession to tbe Treaty of South Africa, the United 2epublic qf Tanzania, Zambia, Zimhabwe,Mozambique and Lithuania and we also welcome *he statements of China and Prance concerning their decisions in principle to adhere to the Treaty. Ukraine intends to join the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as a non-nuclear State. We support strengthening and further developing, on the basis of the Treaty, a corresponding international regime in which IAEA should play a special role. Tba Agency report before us deals with the question of the Chernobyl catastrophe. It should be noted that the adoption by the General Assembly in 1990 cf resolution 451190, on international cooperation to address and mitigate the consequences of the accident et the Chernobyl nuclesr povrr plant, promoted a consolidation of international efforts in this direction. We should like to erprors our appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Wationn, Mr. Pore= do Cuollar, and to Ms. Margaret Anlrtee, United Nations Coordinator on Chernobyl and Director-Goneral of the United Nations Office at Vienna, for her effortr to ensure implewntation of this resolution, to facilitate the convening of the United Natlonn Chernobyl Pledging Conference, and to work out the joint plan oC international cooperation to address and mitigate the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclnnr power plant. Moreover, I should like to reconfirm that the Government of Ukraine is ready to extend its full support to the internation community in order to bring this plan to life. (Mr. Rudovenko, Ukraine) He painfully feel the consegu8nces of the tragedy that happened in April 1996 at the Chernobyl nuclear plant and affected, to a greater or lesser degree, several million people. !fhe Ukrainian Government ia implementing a large G*..mplex of measures aimed at mitigating the impact of radiation on people's health. But despite these measures, the situation in the affected areas remains extremely complicated and now th8 assistance of thhp intxnational community in solving th8 Chernobyl problems is especially needed. As indicated in the report, in 1990 the "Chernobyl Project" war implemented with the assistance of the Agency, and under that Project international experts determined radiation lev8ls in a numbsr of areas affected by tbe accident, examined the state of health of the population concerned and worked out recommendations on radiological protection. Representatives of Ukraine had an opportunity to express their views on the outcome of the Froject at the Conference in Vienna in May 1991, and then at the session of the Board of Governors of the IAEA, where Ukraine and Belarus made a relevant statement. Hevertheless today in this Hall we would like to reiterate Ukraine's position on this issue. Pirst, we are grateful to the international experts for the professional vay they dealt with the tasks they faced: ve are a'sa thankful to the secretariat of the IAEA for the efforts it made under the Project. At the sam8 time we feel that because of the limited character of the Project's concept the experts did not obtain complete data, and that had a negative impact on their conclusions and recomm8ndations and distorted, in our view, the real picture of the accident's COaS8gU8nC8S. The asSeSSm%nt did aot oover the State of health of people from the 3Okm zone 8vaCUated inmediately after the accident, of the population living in the most affected areas and of the so-caLled liquidators. (Mr. Oudovenko. Ukrainp) We are also concerned about an emerging tendency to explain the severity of the consequences of the accident by the Social and economic difficulties of the population living in contaminatad and evacuation areas. we are convinced that the principal drawback of the Project was that its authors had not taken into account the interests of Ukraine as a member State of tbe Agency OR whose territory the disaster happened. This resulted in a certain shifting of emphasis which Ukraine cannot accept. We proceed from the understanding that the work should be continued, with particular focus on a medical examination of people living in tbe most contaminated areas so tbat reliable data on the population's state of health can be obtained on the basis of a multifactor eaalysis as well as recommendations on measures aimed at its mprovement . A valid forecast of future trends is necessary. We appreciate the Agency's willingness to move in this direction as expressed by Mr. Hans Blix in his statement yesterday at tbe forty-sixth session of tbe General Assezbiy. ‘Jkraine for its part is prepared to provide all necessary data and equipment available for an examination of these issues and to cooperate most fully in inplementinq this task. People have yet to learn the many lessons from the Chernobyl accident. The most important is how to prevent such disasters in future. To this end the Republic has taken certain measures: first, it was decided to freeze the construction of other nuclear plants and to close down the Chernobyl nuclear plant. But, in our opinion, the international community should also regard the Chernobyl accident as a lesson from which it is necessary tc draw the proper conclusions. We are deeply concerned &out the accident which occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in August this year and I',+ " ie new, majos accident on 11 October 1991. The investigation will reveal who in particular is responsible for the sudden switching on of the Paver Unit ho. 2 generator uhich caused the explosion of hydrogen and a fire in the machine room roof. Fortunately for all of us that fire was localised within three and a half hours and there was no reported release of radioactivity beyond the building ana the power plant site. Although member States which oun nuclear power stations are primarily responsible for their safe operation, to our mind, the IAgA must pay more attention to the issues in order to reduce the probability af such accidents to a minimum or, even better, to avoid them altogether. One of the Agency's statutory objectives is to use nuclear energy for the maintenance of peace, health and well-being throughout the world. We think that the Agency shotid persistently and without compromise implement its policy aimed at ensuring tbe safety of nuclear installations and making maximum efforts ta attain this goal in practice. It is clearly evident that a nev major acciaent 8t any nuclear power plant in any country would discredit the very idea of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Therefore, the development of fundamental, internationally recognised ana mandatory standards of nuclear and radiation safety and the establishment of a coordinated programm of nuclear safety cooperation should become one of the major directions of the Agency's activities. Only a coordinated international policy in this area can ensure the highest degree of safety all over the world ma allay doubts regarding nuclear energy. It should be acknowledged that the Ageacy is already undertatiing some efforts in this field. The international Cotiference on safety of nuclear (Mr. Oudovenko. Ukraine) power plants8 "Strategy for the Puture". held in Vienna from 2-6 September 1991, serves as an example of such activities. It was the first time that issues related to ensuring the safety of present and future generations of nuclear plants were discussed at such a high level. We think that the suggestions and recommendations put forward at that Conference deserve thorough eramination. It is important that the Agency should determine its role and capabilities in implementing the suggestions put forward during that Conference. The issues related to the safe operation of nuclear power plants are very important to us in view of the fact that on the territory of Ukraine there are five major nuclear power plants, including the ill-fated Chernobyl plant, the Rivne plant, which incidentally was visited by a group of Agency safety experts from 25-29 June this year, and other nuclear power plants with a total of 16 nuclear reactors having an overall capacity of 15 thousand megawatts, which accounts for 25 per cent of the entire generating capacity of Ukraine. Recently, the Ukrainian parliament - Verkhovna Rada - took a decision to declare Ukraine's jurisdiction over all state enterprises aad organisations on the territory of the Republic previously run by the central federal ministries of the former Soviet Union. This decision fully applies to all five nuclear power plants. In fact we realize that such a transfer should in no way affect the operational safety of these installations. Certainly it will take some time to solve the number of legal, organisational and other issues resulting from the above-cited decision of the Ukrainian Parliament. The respective institutions to manage the operation of the national nuclear industry are being set up. In particular, the State Committee of Ukraine for the Safe Operation of Nuclear Plants has already been established. ( Hr.-.Qusl.~.~nn.kst~..Yhrnine ) Ths Chernobyl sona Is the result of a prava tragedy, but alonqride this it is aleo a unique testing qrcund for the iavemtlqstion of important physical, t.schnical., biologic81 and social proble - relat.od to el iminat inq t.he conaequonces of the nuclear accident and to l nsurinq radiological protection for the population. Today, of most crucial importance for ua ts the problem of the sarcophagus, or cover. of the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant., To solve this problem, tha Government of Ukraine advanced a propoaa’ to hold an international contest on how to COOVQI~ the sarcophagus into an environmentally safe syafem, and requested all countries, orqanizationa, scientific conununitiea and individuals to participate in and to support the conduct of thin contest. The appeal of the Government of Ukraine has been issued as an official document of the forty-sixth neasion of the Cnneral Assembly (A/46/579). (Mr. Oudovenko, Ukraine) Tbe final disposal of the huge quantities of radioactive wastes resulting from the accident is another grave problem. We are certain that there is a need for an international project to develop optimal techniques for waste processinq aa disposal. Obviously, the Agency could play a part in solving these problems. The information collected during the implementation of various Chernobyl-related projects is already available and will be made accessible to all. It will contribute in many ways to promoting nuclear and radiation safety ma to developing measures that coda reduce to a minxmum the consequences of accidents at nuclear power plants in future - accidents which are extremely unlikely but, wgrettably, possible. The &legation of Ukraine takes a positive view of the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at the implementation of safeguards. which are of special siqnificance given the circumstances - that is, the evolving process of nuclear disarmament. At the same time, recent developments have demonstrated the need to increase the effectiveness of the existing safeguards systems. We consider it necessary to provide in the budget for 1993-1994 for specific measures to promote the special inspections. It is also necessary to develop a clear mechanism for carrying then out. Our delegation welcomes the Agency's efforts in implementing Security Council resolution 681 (1991), particularly as regards the monitoring of Iraq's activities in the nuclear field. At the same time, we favour giving fresh impetus to the idea of establishing nuclear-free zones in the Middle East and of continuing efforts to draw all countries in the region into the (Mr. Oudovenko. Uksaiae) Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and into accepting comprehensive Agency safeguards. At the thirty-fifth session of the General Conference of the Agency. the delegation of Ukraine supported the Agency's programme and budget for 1992: in our opinion, they are well balanced. As regards the budget structure for the years to come, we believe it is necessary to conduct a comparative analysis of the results of various projects and deternine certain priorities among them. That having been done, the expenditures for the most important projests could be increased in coming years while the financing of secondary projects might be reduced or even discontinued. We believe flexibility of this kind in financial policy would significantly promote the effectiveness of the Agency's activities. An analysis of this kind is required to an even greater degree for the medium-term plan for 1993 to 1998, which reflects the strategy of the Agency’s activities for the five-year period. The plan should provide for a possible redistribution of allocations in accordance with changing priorities, serve as guidance in developing +h -CL consequent programmes, and be regularly reviewed and updated on the basis of consultations between the Agency secretariat and member States. In conclusion, I should like to emphasixe that Ukraine supports the many and varied activities of the Agency aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and will in every possible way help to solve the extremely important tasks that are facing the organisation. Mr, RIDER (New Zealand): When the member States of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assembled for the first General (t%-~W. -.mQ iiQB.hUd) Conferonce, in 1957. I doubt whether anyone could envisage the cotrplex sat of chsl lengas, techuicel and political, coafrontiag the Agency today. In hot11 his very cowtprehensive report to the Gewrsl Anrembly end In his statement yest.edrday, Director General Blix outlined the uide range of activities which have taken place over the poet year. A major nuclear safety conference haa been held to exenine usys to improve standards of safety, radiological protection and waste management. The Agency has continued its work on technological cooperation, including that in a wide ranga of non-power applications of nuclear technology. Discussions have continued on its perimeters about nuclear trade. New countries have nov joined the Agency. This last year, and indeed recent weeks, have also seen siguificant positive treods which reinforce the regime for the prevention of the spread of nuclear explosive devices and for nuclear trade for peaceful purposes. The recent announcements by Presidents Bush and Gorbachev of significant reductions in nuclear arsenals open the vay for a safer and more secur-E world. In addition to their arms-control value, these latest developments have an enormous political impact. T’e multilateral process, of vhich IAEA is a key part, has a rJjor ro1.e tc play in reinforciny the securit.y and stability fost.ered by these historic steps. As the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rigtlt Honourable .I. 8. Bolger, confirmed in the General Assembly last month, strengthening the non-proliferation regime is a priority for New Zealand. Now that the opportunities for creating a more peaceful world are greater than ever before, we simply cannot tolerate the possibility that. further nuclear-weapon States may emerqt . (Mr. Rider, New Zealand) The Gulf war‘has highlighted the importance of safeguards on the supply of nuclear technology. New Zealand welcomes the decisions announced last month by the Governments of the United Kingdom and France to make the adoption of full-scope safeguards a condition of nuclear supply. We believe this should be the norm for all suppliers of nuclear technology. New Zealand also welcomes the decisions by a number of States, including France and China, to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This means that all five nuclear-weapon States will soon be parties to the Treaty, providing a degree of support it has never before enjoyed. New Zealand hopes that other States which are not yet parties to the non-proliferation Treaty, and particularly those with major nuclear industries, will reconsider their position and show their firm support for international mechanisms to prevent the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction. While nuclear safeguards agreements under the non-proliferation Treaty have been concluded quickly in at least one recent instance, it is discouraging to note the time it has taken for other countries to meet their obligations under the Treaty. The continued operation by a party to the non-proliferation Treaty, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, of significant unsafeguarded nuclear facilities has raised serious issues. It is unacceptable for one party to use a bilateral dispute as an excuse for not honouring obligations it has undertaken in respect of all other parties. The longer this matter remains unresolved, the greater are anxieties about the nature of the nuclear programme involved. Clearly, the recent initiatives by the major nuclear-respon Ststee provide further impetus for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to sign and implement a safeguards agreemant. We urge it to do 80 without further delay. (p. Rider. New Zealand) New ZealadJ is pleased to see that within its own region of the South-West Pacific a number of small countries with no significant nuclear activities have concluded safeguards agreements and chosen the simplified option of bringing them into force upon signature. Tuvalu recently signed a safeguards agreement with the Agency, Kiribati did so at the end of last year, and the Solomon Islands concluded such an agreement earlier this year. There are countries in other regions of the world with no significant nuclear activities which we would encourage to follow these examples. Unquestionably, the non-proliferation regime and the Agency's central position in underpinning it has received a welcome boost over the last year from further adherence to the NPT and the conclusion of NPT safeguards. But this stands in stark contrast to the conduct of NPT Party and Agency member, Iraq. For the first time in the history of the Agency, its Board of Governors has found that a member State of the Agency end a Party to the NPT has not complied with its NPT safeguards agreement. This finding on Iraq's nuclear activities poses fundamental questions for the Agency and for the international non-proliferation regime. These need to be faced squarely. We must ensure that effective mechanisms exist to prevent a repetition of this non-compliance with an international safeguards agreement. A vital role was ascribed to the Agency under Security Council resolution 687 (1991) in investigating Iraq's nuclear activities. A good deal of information has come to light since then about Iraq's nuclear programme. The Agency has operated under conditions that at times can only be described as difficult, as New Zealand, through its association with the United Nations Special Commission, well knows. We are accordingly pleased to sponsor draft resolution A/46/L,lO currently before us which, inter alrg , , commends the (Mr. Rider. New Zealand) agency for its efforts in implementing Security Couacil rsso1uCions 687 (1991) aQd 707 (1991). Substantial progress has been achieved in determining the thrust and scope of Iraq's nuclear activities. What haa emerged so far is cauue for grave COQCerQ. That a Party to the HPT could embark on such an extensive nuclear-weapon programme raises important issues regarding the existing IARA safeguards regime. It is imperative that the safeguards system be strengthened to allow greater scope for detection of such clandestine activities. This will necessarily mean a more intrusive inspection system and a commitment by NPT States Parties to use the mechanisms that are already provided for this purpose. We are pleased that steps have already been taken in this direction. Dar should we lose sight of the proposals which emerged from the Fourth Review Conference on the PPT last year. Hew Zealand coarmends the Director General for his action in setting up a post-Pourth-Beview- Conference task force to examine some of these proposals. The safeguards regime is put to the test in other ways as yell. In these times of zero real growth strains continue to be placed on the safeguards budget. The current safeguards financing regime doea not seem well equipped to deal with the increased pressures on it. Informal consultations concerning safeguards financing have not achieved the progress we would have wished for in addressing some of the fundamental issues. Strategies for the future uas also the underlying theme of the international nuclear safety Conference which was held in Vienna earlier this year e The Conference acknowledged the constructive role of the +ency in contributing to nuclear safety, radiological protection and waste management. This is an area which impinges upon all regions of the world, including my own. ( kk~aiQlr. ek!Qlf.-.~Q P1 QQd ) To conclude, these are unprecedented times for the Agency. In the foreground is the hirtoric agreement betwean the United Statea and the Soviet Union to reduce strategic nuclear weapons, and the even more recent announcement8 on tactical weapons. There have been landmark changes in Europe. Yet we are confronted by the sobering fact of one Member State’s aggreseion towards another and of its non-compliance with dts international safeguards agreement, with all that this says about its nuclear ambitions. The system built up to prevent the spread of nuclear weapona has been challenged. The conclusion is clear. This is not 8 system we can do without. Mr, (Czechoslovakia) : Last year’s international developments have emphasized the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in preventing nuclear-weapon proliferation and the misuse of nuclear energy for military purposes. The Agency has been successful in its activities aimed at safeguarding the overall peaceful use of atomic energy benefiting the economic prosyority and health of the people of the whole world. The report submitted to us, as well as the statement of the Director General of the IAEA, Mr. Hans Blix, clearly demonstrate that the IAEA satisfactorily fulfilled its tasks in implementing these main goals and has been able to respond adequately TV the difficult challenges it had to face. The most dramatic of them for the IAEA was presrtnted by the flagrant violations uf obligations of safeguards agreement by a signatory with the IAEA - Iraq. In this respect, tasks were entrusted to t?e IAEA undelr Security Council rr:solutions 687 (1991) and 707 (1991). As has been clearly demonstrated, the Agency and its staff have been fulfilling their demandioq duties under difficult and risky conditions with professional eff icierIcy, perseverance and aelf-racrlf3ce. Crschoslovokla highly appreciates thnno activities of the IAEA and is of the vieu that they should be rant inued in accordnnce with the decisions of the Socurlty Council. At. the same t Imm, wn appeal to the Iraqi Government. to ensure all necessary condit. ions for t hc activities of the IAEA inapcction teams. The disclosure of secret uranium enrichment programmes in Iraq hna dra.mRtically manifested the urgent need to atrenqthen the IAEA safeyuards system in a way which vozrld guaront.ee that. in t-he Statea which hnva adopted full safeguards there are no unnotified nuclear mat.erlala and equipment. We note with satisfaction that the thirty-fifth session of the General Confer(anc-c% reacted positively and promptly to t.his need, end by ita resolution 990, adopted by consensus, has asked the Board of Governors to discuss mea$urt+s ori strengthening the efficiency of the safeyuards system not later than February 1992. The Czechoslovak delegation Considers it desirable that the IAEA exert its right to carry out special inspections based on the safeguards agreements. We ayree with the opinion of the Director General of t.be IAEA tbnt to reveal secret. nuclear activities throuyh these inspections the following three main requirements must be met: ir?format.ioa must. be prow i(lctl from other States -- from satellites and various sources; quick ar,d unrestricted access of inspectors to their locations: and Security Council si~pport for such inspections. Our erperionce with Iraq underliner the need for tightening control over the transfer, production or purchase of nuclear materialr and equipment. III this respect we rupport the European Cornnunity’a proposal for the implementation of a set of compsratively lrinple sdditionsl meanuree to be taken by all States. Uoreover, all existing or potential suppliers of noclenr materials should adapt and consistently abide by the principle of making any new delivery conditioual upon the corrznitment by the receiver to non-proliferation and to the granting of full safequa-da. It ia important. t!-at all major suppliers, and especially all permanent members of the Security Count i 1, act in this way. Remarkable and hopeful progress has been made in the past year in the growing number of the signatories to ths Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which io a significant shift towards universality for that Treaty. We appreciate the accession of Albania and Lithuania and also of the group of African countries - Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and finally South Africa - which has opened the way to the establishment or a nuclear-weapon-free zone on the African continent. We also welcome the decision:: by Prance and China to accede to that Treaty. The implement.ation of the aforesaid steps would mean +-hat. all five nuclear Povers would become, signatories to the Treaty, which would be of great importance for the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In view of the fact that nuclear safety is important to all States, it is desirable to st ‘18 to achieve universal acceptance of the non-proliferation Treaty. The Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, therefore, appeais once again to all States vhich have not yet acceded to that Treaty to do so as soon as possible. In srpanding ths syaten of safeguard6 89raa1~~nts with IkEA, on which the non prolifarat.ion regime ia baaed, minor progress wan made last year. We expect the apaedy signing, ratification and implementation of the agreement. the text of which wan approved by the IAEA Board of Governors early in Septamber of this year - by the Democratic People’r Republic of Korea. on the other hand, we appreclato the fact that the Republic of South Africa has already concluded such an agreement, and that. it did ao a vary short time after it. signed the non-proliferation Treaty. We are ala0 expecting an early and aucceasful conclusion of negotiations bvtwesa XhEh on the one hand and Argentina and Brazil on the other on the signing of a safequards agreement. In the field of regional measures against the proliferation of nuclear weapons there has also been a positive development in the past year. We welcomed an aqreement on such measur-es concluded betweon Argentina and Rrazil. Resolution GC(XlCXV)/RES/980, adopted at the thirty-fifth session of the IAEA General Conference, concernjng the implementation of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East, should stimulate the adoption of measures to strenqthen the reqime of non--proliferation of nuclear weapons, includinq the establishment of A nuclear--free zone in that region, which for decades has been afflicted by serious conflicts. We appreciate the development of IAEA activities in the field of the safe peaceful uses of iltomic energy, which has led, as pointed out by the Director General, to the i:ternational regime of nuclear safety and to a gradual strenqthening of safety everywhere, including the si.te dispf sal of nuclear we3st.e. This regime of nuclear security should be strengthened in the forthcoming period throuqh a gradual implementat.ion of the conclusions of the Conference on nurlear safety held ty IAEA in Vienna last August. (LJlr. Kukan. CzechoslovakiG) In this respect, we especially appreciate the implementation of the project for the rsvision an& increase of security af older tE8s of nuelear reactors irl. Central end Eastern Europe, which is being completed. Alno the IAEA activitiss aimed at the gradual. establisbme& of safeguard criteria for designing future reactors deserve our recognition. The decieion of the Government of the Csecb and Slovak Federal R%public to provide a volxmtary contribution to the United Uations Trust Fund in the amount of $IJS 500,000 was a znnifestation of my country's full understanding of the need to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. We count OP the participation of our enterprises and organizations in the United Nations projects which are being prepared and which will be financed from funds obtained at the Pledging Conference. The Czechoslovak Government has already provided humanitarian aid to children from the afflicted areas and has approved the resettlement of nearly one thousand of our fellow-countrymen from these reqions to Czechoslovakia. This assistance has involved also supplies of m%dicine aad food. The Czechoslovak delegation has noted with satisfaction that IAEA has successfully taken up its duties arising from the new and immediate needs as well as from the long-term objectives. We especially appreciate the results it has achieved as an institutional barrier against nuclear-arms proliferation. We assure both the General Assembly and the Director General of IAEA, Mr. Blir, that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic will continue to provide full support to the IAEA activities. Mr. MONTESQ (Chile) (interpretation from Spanish): First my delegation would like to state that w8 were pleased to read the comprehensive report of IAEA for 1990 and thank its Director General, Mr. Blix, for (i!lL.Mfult.ar91 Ghlle) submitting it to ua yemterday. Ho associate ourselves with other representativ@8 in paying 0 well-deserved tribute LO the hency for its sustainad rffortr for poaco and international socisl rind economic development Of pQOplQB, in the importsnt field of the peaceful ullea of nuclear anerqy. Accordingly, my del8gatiOn aupportr the draft resolution under consideration at this time and im very plOaSQd to co-rponror it. with the certainty that it will be adopted by the General Assembly. I should like also to avail myself of this opportunity to express our satisfaction at the negotiation of a Safeguards agreement between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and IAEA, within the context of the Treaty on the Non-.Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We hope that this important instrument for peace will be aiqned and ratified ea noon aa possible, in view of the important initiatives of understanding which can be undertaken in this connection and which enjoy the full support of my Government. Wr,...Chw J&ga_.RQ& (Republic of Korea); Oa behalf of the Oovernrnent of the Republic of Kores, my delegation wirhea to l ~pre8r itr deep appreciation to Hr. Hans Blix, Director General of the International Atomic Baerqy Aqeney (IAEA), for his presentation of the snousl report of the IAM as well as for his comprehensive statement on the activities of the Agency. We comnend Ur. Blix and his staff for their untiring offorts, in particular during the course of last yonr, in uodortaking and fulfilling the very important, yet dauntinq, tasks put before them. Wo also firmly bslir-ve that the IAEA will continue to otreogtheu its pivotal role 1~ promoting the peaceful usea of nuclear energy and in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapona. During the two decades since our accession to the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the subsequent conclusion of the safeguards agreement with the IAEA, we have benefited greatly from the invaluable assistance provided by the Agency in promoting the peaceful unes of nuclear energy. AS of last year. our Country ranked as the ninth largest producer of nuclear energy in the world. Agproximately 50 per cent of our electricity is generated by nuclear plants within my country. With such a strono dependence on nuclear energy, my Government attaches great importance to the ever yrowinq cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the IAEA. As a member of the Board of Governors of the Agency, we are ever committed to the noble objectives of the Agency. Today my deieystion wishes to focus on nuclear non-proliferation and the safeguards reyime, a~ the nuclr-,ar non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA safeyuards system nrp 50 vital for internat.ional security. (I%. Chauo lfee Rot. rm?\splLc uf Aures) As Mr. Blir alaborsted In hia rtstement yesterday, elgnifirant proqtcss has recently been mada in t.hm field of non-proliferation. We welcome the far.1 that two declared nuclear-weapon States, France snd the Yeop.le’a Wepuhl 1~ of China, have snnounced their intantioo to acceds to the Treaty. We are also gratified to note that several other non-nuclear-weapon States have recently if>ined or intend to join the NPT. There developments ~111 mark an important step towards the achievement of universal ity of the NPT regime. Since safeguards agreements nre an integral part of the NYT regime, States parties to the NPT ere obliged to conclude safeguJrda agreements incumbent upon them under .kle Treaty. Our particular concern lies wjth t,hosc* count rioa which. despite being engaged in significant nuclear activities, have not. yet. signod the agreements. This fact explains in large part- my Government’s preoccupat ion with one such State, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is known that. North Korea has for a considerable time been operating unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. The IAEA Bo.zrd of Governors during its meeting last month expressed great concern over North Korea’s lorig overdue conclusion of the safeguards ayreement and it adopted a resolution that calls on North Xorea to sign, ratify and fully implement the agreement, Now that North Korea has become a Member of this world body, declaring its commitment to disc-ilarge the obligations under the Charter, and also because the text ,Jf the agreement has already been approsred by the IAEA Board, we appeal to North Korea to fulfil its int.ernational obligations wit-bout further delay. Aa many delegatlonr have noted on vnriour occarlonr rince the oyeninq of the current rossIon of the General Arsembly, the Gulf cririe clearly highlIghteR the urgant need to strengthen further the safeguards system of the IAEA. We fully share with Mr. Blix the view that wo should learn important lessons from our recent experience and that effective procedures must be put. into place to prevent and, if nscesafiry, moot any eventuality. In this regard my delegation ia very pleased to note the efforts already undertaken by the IAEA to devise measures intended to reinforce its ctuclear safeguards system. In fact, the last session of the Board of Governors and the General Conference of the IAEA resolved to consider as a matter of priority vays to solve this problem. In this connection we look forward vith great expectation to the report of the Director General during the forthcoming session of the I&E& Boar-d of Governors on the new mechanism of special inspection. W:, believe t.hat that report could provide added momentum to this endeavour. Mr. lU&)j (Bangladesh): On behalf of the delegation of Bangladesh, I would like to convey our sincere appreciation of the efforts made by the Agency during the past year towards achieving its goal in respect of peacefIll uses of nuclear energy for the benefit of mankind. My deleyation also extends its felicitations to Mr. Hans Blix, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who brought before us yesterday ~+he difficult as well as delicate role the Aqency had been performing under his leadership in ;f very difficult sector involving nuclear energy itself. My country, as a member of the third world. has neither contributed t.c, the nuclear stockpile in this world nor yet availed itself of the best fruits (t4L*Jkhaa,. BAAcal ama?l) of t-him “power”. Wa would none the less like to reqlster our confidence in ths International Atomlc Iner9y Agency. Before 9oSn9 on to some details of ths report as well as the role of the IAtA in the last decade of the t.went iet h cent.ury, I should also like to mention with respect the contribution made by IAEA in the activities related to the post-Chernobyl disaster and tha contribution made in restoring confidencs in the minds of the people that prescriptions of appropriate safeguards, coupled with timely nnd thorough inspection by international authorities and advice on nuclear vaste disposal, could certainly lead to nur:lear pover devices that could ensure a safety level significantly higher than conventional power generation installations interpreted in terms of statistical estimates of probabilities. (Mr. Ithan. Banoladesh) Baqladesh ober the past tw0 decades has been working in close collaboration with IA?XA through the Banglacleah Atomic Energy Commission. We have so far received some suppOrt in the training of our scientific manpOwer in respect of nuclear sciences. We are happy to da that research equipment and installations in Bangladesh have received IAEA support under the training and coOpaeratiOn pr0grame, which considerably benefited our young researchers as well as our research administration. The exchange of visits by scientific personnel and invitations to conferences and seminars supported by IAEA have all contributed to creating a congenial research atmosphere for nuclear scientists within a country which still maintains a rather low profile in science ana technology, which are so vital for the development of a scientific base. On behalf Of our delegation, I extend support for continuing work by IAEA aimed at achieving its goals of supporting developed as well as developing countries according to their needs in the arena of nuclear science. Without a doubt, the Agency has clearly demonstrated during tie past year that its efforts designed to achieve peace ana security through appropriate uses of nuclear technology can bring about useful cooperation among the nations of the world. In this respect, our delegation endorses the views expressed by the Australian delegation on training and development, with specific emphasis on developing countries. Having said that with respect to the agenda of technical cooperation between nations through the auspices of the Agency, my delegation now wishes to make some specific references to the Agency's commendable work in the following areas: first, nuclear safety: secondly, nuclear power in the context of environment and development: ana, thirdly, transfer of nuclear technology to developing countries. ( kb L- &h@&.. .4im&l.bati ) Nuclest rafety ham almost aLway been a cvncern for the big nationa. Bengladaeh war one of the countriea caught unaware in the aftermath of the Chernobyl incident through itr Importation of bsby food which had heen coatamlnsted an fa consequance of that. incident. New legislation had t.o be introduced to meet such au unexpected aituatioa, but not before suspected damage had already boon done to UQM or our young people who were dependent to a large extent on imported powdered milk. Thus, nuclear asfety aspects had taken on an altogether new dimension for the world au a whole - not quite the same a8 the dimension of the management of the power plants themselves, which had been the conventional approach prior to out mote recent experiences in this respect. By emphasiriog ita work in this field, the Agency haa most successfully elucidated what an international agency can contribute in this respect D The other delicate issue in respect of nuclear pover which surfaced in recent times relates to the preservation of the environment for the sake of a healthy planet. We have already done considerable darnaqe to our environment and ecology, and we have been talking quite loudly about the depletion of the ozone layer as well as the rise of the aea-water level and trends in global climatic changes. Howevo r , to ascribe all these changes or eveu to try to relate such events to nuclear-power plants alone would perhaps be an overstatement of fact. At this staye our delegation would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that conscious or unintended efforts have been made in the past to intermingle the two issues of nuclear weaponry and nuclear paver generation. While our stand on the question of nuclear weapons as well as on the limitation and destruction of stockpiles of such weapons remains absolutely clear, we would nevertheless, as one of the early (Mr. Khan. Banuladesh) signatories in our region of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons, like to draw a clear line of distinction between the arms aspects and those related to power-generation possibilities in a developing country like oursI where virtually no conventional source of energy existed until some years ago - and even at present we have to contend with a limited supply of gas reserves. PZI addition, it is indeed time to point out emphatically that nuclear power is much cleaner than fossil fuels, as has aptly been argued by the Agency, and that environmental safeguards are much better ensured by the use of nuclear power when coupled with appropriate safety methods and when waste management is pursued by the Agency itself. The commitment to the large rural population in Bangladesh of necessary power supply and development could be ensured only through ag introduction of nuclear power supplies if and when the current approach of conventional power sources fails to achieve the desired results. In such circumstances. we shall possibly be left with no other choice but to seek support from the Agency. We believe that a rational approach to the issue of power supply to large masses in the developing world has got to be taken up at one point or another, and we must realize that this is completely separate from the issue of nuclear weaponry. In other words, we fraakly do not believe that arguments in favour of the elimination or destruction of nuclear weapons should stand in the way of the development of nuclear power in regions of mass shortage Of formal energy 80~t~8s. Finally, our delegation would Like to touch upon the subject of the trarsfer of nucle;? technology and techniques for use for agricultural, medicinal and industrial purposes. The role of the Agency in this respect has been no less significant. Establishments have been set up in Bangladesh, including radioisotope centres for medical support, with the direct or ( ML .bhJMla kkaxI.lsPaaB 1 indirect. sssimtancs of IAEA. Invertlgatioaa related to detection of t.race l loments 10 agricultural mnd Industrial products, irradiat.ion of agricultural products relating to mutation aad the development of no~er species have all contributed to the developumnt of an econonicolly dlsadvnntage~1 nation such IIS Bangladesh. As one of the least developed countries and as an early signatory of the non-proliferation Treaty In our region, we feel that ve deserve npscial consideration and support of the IAEA progrms. I myself. as a past member of the IAEA fellowship proqramms end as a continuing associate of the International Centre for Theoretics1 Physics - which is yet another institute under the constant and vatchful support of IAEA as a means for raising the sciantific and technological research capabilities of developing nations - vould like to conclude by paying my compliments once again to the Agency for its selfless efforts in ensuri:,g safety in the world through its pursuit of the peaceful USBS of atomic energy. m-m (interpretation from French) : I should like to inform the Assembly that the representatives of Egypt and Nigeria have asked to be allowed to participate in the debate on this item. The lint of speakers for this item was closed yesterday at. 5 p.m. Hence, I must ask the Assembly if there is any objection to the inclusion of the names of those representatives on the list. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly agrees to this addition. LS was aQ.AQti~~- k,.&B&&.q& (loi9eria)r Uy delegstloa has carefully road through the annual report of the International Atomic Bnorgy Agency (IAEA) for 1990. vhich in Its quality and detail reflects the competence and expertise v1t.h which the General Assembly has come to associate the Agenc,l. We corrrmcnd the Director General for the report aod for his lucid statemeot highlfghtiog the sctivities of the Agency as vell as the challenges ahead. My couotry attaches great importance to international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear eoefqy and the positive impact of nuclear technology for development. 10 this c nnection, vb note with batisfactio0 the growing effectiveness of the Agency in implementing its technical assistance progriYmne for developing countries particularly in such critical areaa as food and agf iculture, minir.9 and vater resources, and modizine and industry= It is reassuring that Africa’s share in the Agency’s technical assistance programme witnessed an appreciable rise in the past year and that the overall disbursement of resources reflected the developmeot priorities of our continent. We are also pleased to read in the report that the Agency stepped up its training progfanune and seminars on radiation protection in respouse tv the needs of developing countries. The Ayency’s valuable assistance in these areas deserves to be increased. A major instrument of IAEA assistance to developing countries is the Regional Cooperative Agreements established for Asia, Latin America and Africa. We are encouraged by the fact that, since it became operational in 1990. the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Developmeot and Training relati:Jg to Nuclear Science and Technology (APRA) has continued to attract greater participa *‘OO from our continent and the support of donor countries. Uvre regional projects covering food preservation, irradiation processing. use of radioisotopes in animal production , and plant mutation were identified at the second meeting of the Technical Working Group of AFhA at the Algiers meeting last July. We look forward to evea greater activism in tbe coming months. ft is also our hops that these and other projseta will be expeditiously implemented and that the support of the international community for MEA will be intensified. The role of the IAEA in the area of safeguards is slao adequately covaed in the report. It is a role which is bound to grow as the Agency discharges its obligations under non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) safeguards agreements. Wy delegation vishes to reiterate Nigeria's support for measures tbat rtould streugthen the IAEA safeguards aystsm. In this context, we have followed with interest the significant strides the Agency has made in e&e application of safeguards systems and the strengthening of the non-proliferation reg3me. We note in particular that prospects for non-proliferation in our region have brightened as a result of South Africa.8 accession to the NFT and its negotiation and signature of a safeguards agreement with the Agency. We recognise that this development could facilitate the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in our region in line with the 1964 Cairo Resolution of the Orgauisation of African Unity. It is essential that the safeguards agreement be faithfully implemented under IAEA full-scope safeguards. We urge the interrational rommuuity to give the Director General the necessary support to ensure this. Nigeria shares the widespread concern over the safety of nucJ,ear installations w0rldwidW. Wt thwrefort welcome ths expansion of the Agency's programme on nuclear safety and commend it for the imagination and initiative the secretariat has ahown la the matter. In this regard, we note that the (J4r. Mekanve, Niareri@j Agency organised &I Xntern&ional Conference on the Safety of puclear Power Strategy for the Future in Vienna in early September this year. The conclusions of the Conference constitute an important contribution to the search for an international nuclear-safety regime that addresses these concerns. We urge all States to redouble their efforts to ensure that all installations worMwide are inaeed safe ana well regulated, anc pose no danger to human health and the human environment. Permit me to turn to the issue of transboundary movement of radioactive waste. As an actjve participant in the discussions that resulted in the adoption of the cod0 of Practice on the Transbounaary Movement of Radioactive Waste, pigeria views the effective implementation of the Code as of primary importance in protecting developing countries from the dumping of radioactive wastes ana toxic materials on their territories. Vie should not allow the gains the international community has made on the matter to be reversed. On the contrary, we should make the Code the cornerstone of a new convention to control the transboundary movement of radioactive waste. In conclusion, my delegation considers that the Agency has performed remarkably well in the past year and, in so doing, has reinforced the confidence of the overwhelming majority of its member States in its functions. Its role in strengthening the non-proliferation regime has been reinforced, and its capacity to respond to the challenges of member States, particularly developing countries, on nuclear energy for peaceful purposes demonstrated. It has risen to these challenges in circumstances of a zero-growth budget.. (i!trLhpahppyti. Hinar la 1 There chsllea9er will grow. They demand mom, not fewer reaOUfC@B. My delegation hsa DO doubt that, given rwh additional fe~ourcea, the Agency would indeed meet the rising expectations of ite members. It is our hope that the political will to address thin isrue will match the expression of support which the report has received from delegations. With these brief remarks, my delegation supports the draft. resolution on the report of the Ivternational Atomic Energy A9sncy contained in document A/4t/L.l0. Mr. El,- (Egypt) (interpretation from Arabic): At the outset, I should like to express my delegation’s appreciation to Mr. War tl Blir, the Director General of the Internationsl Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for his statement on the Agency’s activities in 1910, ns contained in the Agency’s report. On this occasion the delegation of Egypt would like to reiterate its support for the important role performed by the IAEA in consolidating the non-proliferation regime. It is a role that is indispensable for the achievement of the objective after which we all aspire, namely the elimination of the grave dangers that contic.re to threaten the international community es a whole. This makes it imperative for us all t3 pursue our efforts to remove all destructive nuclear capabilities. ( tlcAflrrrbvJ_rnL ) At the 8ame tima, Kgypt urqw rupport for the 4oocy in tha porformanco of its role, srpmzislly now, given the current porltlvo davelownts in iat~raatlonal rolelions which indicate that it will bo pommiblo to achieve concrete prograsa in this renpsct at a time when wm are about to conmlder the future of the non-proliferation Treaty. By the name token, Egypt welcomes the two rerolutions adopted by the General Conference of the hqency at its session this year concerning the comprehensive application of the safeguards regime to all nuclear installations in the Middle East ns well as to South Africa’s nuclear instsllation9. He hope to see more practical stepa being taken to strengthen the Agency’s role in this respect. Eg:rpt calls upon all countries in general, and in particular upon those countries of the Middle East which have not yet placed all their nuclear installations under the Agency’s safeguards regime - to hasten and rectify this situation so that they may remove the ambiguity which surrounds their nuclear programnea nod which can lead only to loas of confidence in the truthfulness of the peaceful nature of their intentions. The Agency has demonstrated this year that it is capable of dischargillg the tasks that the Security Council entrusted to it within its mandate to monitor the implementation of the obligations under the non-proliferation Treaty with a view to ensuring the achievement of the Treaty’s objectives. On the other hand, the Agency can make a positive contribution to the elimination from the Middle East of all types of weapons of mass destruction. This is a principle that the Security Council has already endorsed very clearly, and which we are trying in earnest to implement as soon as possible in order to defuse tension in our region, which has suffered from conflicts and instability for far too long. I should like to express full appreciation of the Agency's active role in cooperating with developing countries ia the peaceful applications of nuclear _ energy. Developiag couatrier must make use of this important source of energy if they are to develop their economies sad achieve prosperity for their peoples. The Agency's important activity in this respect demonstrates the feasibility of fruitful cooperation in the field of the peaceful application of nuclear eaetgy in the service of lofty goals which we must strive after.