Statements
04. June 2014
Statement by Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, Resident Representative/Governor of the Republic of South Africa, International Atomic Energy Agency, Board of Governors, Vienna from 2 to 6 June 2014
AGENDA ITEM 6(D): IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPT SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT AND RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Chairperson,
South Africa associates itself with the statement delivered by the Resident Representative of Iran, His Excellency Ambassador Rezza Najafi on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We thank the Director General for his report on Iran, and DDG Varjoranta for the Technical Briefing on 27 May 2014.
My delegation notes good progress on the implementation of the Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation (the Framework for Cooperation) between Iran and the Agency. In this regard, South Africa welcomes the implementation of the seven practical measures agreed with the Agency by the Government of Iran in February 2014. South Africa further welcomes the positive outcome of the technical meeting held in Tehran on 20 May 2014, in which the Agency and Iran agreed on five (5) additional practical measures to be implemented by the Government of Iran by 25 August 2014.
Chairperson,
With regard to the Possible Military Dimension, South Africa commends Iran for providing the Agency with the information and explanation on the application for the development of Exploding Bridge Wire (EWB) detonators. It is indicated in the Director-General’s report that this is the first time that Iran has engaged in a technical exchange with the Agency on this issue since 2008.
We note from the report that the Agency is in the process of assessing the information and explanations provided by Iran. South Africa believes that the Agency will require sufficient time to evaluate and analyze all information provided by Iran. We therefore, encourage the Member States not to exert undue pressure on the Agency to consider, analyse and evaluate the information provided by Iran.
In the above context, South Africa calls upon Member States to play a constructive and supportive role towards the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation between the Agency and Iran.
It has always been South Africa’s strong conviction that only dialogue, pragmatism and a gradual approach can enhance the prospects of a long term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear programme which will pave the way for Iran to fulfil its international obligations.
My delegation takes note of the Director General’s report as contained in document GOV/2014/28. My delegation looks forward to receiving further updates on developments.
I thank you.