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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System --------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 13 Sep 2007 Title: SA commends Iran's new stance on nuclear programme --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- By David Masango, tel: (012) 314-2230 Pretoria - South Africa has commended Iran for its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in resolving some of the outstanding issues regarding its nuclear programme. South Africa's Ambassador to the IAEA Abdul Minty, addressed South African reporters from Vienna, Austria on Wednesday, after a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors during a debate on Iran's nuclear programme. South Africa has welcomed the recent understanding reached between Iran and the IAEA on the modalities for the resolution of the outstanding issues, said Mr Minty. Ambassador Minty said progress had been made to resolve particularly the issue of the plutonium separation experiments and the design information verification undertaken at the IR-40 reactor. He however explained that after many years of verification activities by the agency, there remained outstanding issues on Iran's nuclear programme, adding that the agency was also not in a position to conclude that there were no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran. The Board of Governors, and later the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), outlined certain corrective measures to be taken by Iran to address those outstanding questions and allow the agency to express itself on the correctness and completeness of Iran's declarations required in terms of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, said Mr Minty. "It is clear that the process to resolve these outstanding issues is not open ended, and should be completed as soon as possible. "The actions by the Security Council are to reinforce the authority of the board and the agency and are therefore by their nature not intended to be punitive," he said. Mr Minty emphasised that it was important, as requested by the board, that Iran implement transparency measures which extend beyond the formal requirements of the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol. "We believe that we are on the right path. Iran is providing information to the agency, which has already enabled the agency to resolve some of the outstanding issues. "Iran has therefore indeed adhered to this requirement of the Board and the UNSC. ...We encourage Iran to not only continue to implement such transparency measures, but also to enhance them, as this will be required to reconstruct the history of Iran's nuclear programme, which is a key element in resolving the outstanding issues." Importantly, he said the agency must be able to provide assurances regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. He explained that through the full implementation of the agreed work plan between the agency and Iran, the necessary confidence would be created to continue negotiations between Iran and all concerned parties. "This would avoid a confrontation, which no one desires and which would have catastrophic consequences for all. "South Africa also fully supports the statement of the Director General in which he called for a 'double time-out' of all enrichment related activities and of sanctions, thereby providing a window of opportunity for the resumption of these negotiations," he said. Mr Minty added that Iran had the opportunity to demonstrate and reassure the international community that all aspects of its past, present and future nuclear programme were entirely peaceful. "South Africa encourages all parties to refrain from any actions that would hinder the implementation of the understanding reached between the agency and Iran," he said. Earlier in the week Mr Minty expressed appreciation to the IAEA and other governments and for their assistance in securing a recent conviction in a case involving a global nuclear technology smuggling ring. This after a South African court sentenced Mr Gerhard Wisser to an 18-year suspended jail sentence and three years correctional supervision after entering into a plea-bargain agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for his involvement in the AQ Khan Network. He will assist the authorities with their investigations against other role players suspected to be involved in the smuggling ring. Mr Minty told the board meeting that enhanced efforts by the respective authorities in all countries affected by the illicit network were required, in close co-operation with the IAEA to ensure more prosecutions. "It is only through resilient action that we will be able to achieve the successful prosecution of all the major actors involved in these global illicit networks that will lead to the complete elimination of the Network. "We believe that this type of co-operation will contribute to the prevention, combating and eradication of such illicit activities," he said. - BuaNews |
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