Statements

05. March 2013

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Resident Representative/Governor of the Republic of South Africa, International Atomic Energy Agency, Board of Governors

AGENDA ITEM 5(D): IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPT SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT AND RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Chairperson,

South Africa associates itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.  We thank the Director-General for the report, as well as for the Technical Briefing on 27 February 2013.

We note that, as in previous reports, the Director-General has once again drawn the conclusion that all declared nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities. However, and at the same time, the Director-General has been unable to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. 

Chairperson,

We recall that in November 2011 the Board approved a resolution that, inter alia, called on Iran to intensify its dialogue with the Agency aiming at the urgent resolution of all outstanding substantive issues, including access to all relevant information, documentation, sites, material, and personnel in Iran. In September 2012, the Board adopted a resolution, inter alia, calling on Iran and the Agency to immediately conclude and implement the structured approach and for Iran to provide access to the relevant sites.

South Africa welcomes the recent meetings between the Agency and Iran held in December 2012, January 2013 and February 2013, with a view to finalizing the structured approach. We encourage Iran and the Agency to continue to engage in a constructive spirit with a view to reach an agreement soon on the structured approach.  With pragmatism we are convinced that any remaining differences on elements of the structured approach are not insurmountable.

We urge therefore Iran to enhance its cooperation with the Secretariat.  Such cooperation is paramount and central to restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.  We reiterate our concern about the lack of progress with regard to Iran's compliance with the relevant IAEA and UN Security Council decisions. 

In conclusion, we reiterate our firm belief that only a diplomatic approach can result in a credible solution to the issues raised by Iran’s nuclear programme.

I thank you.

 

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