Statements

05. Juni 2013

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Resident Representative/Governor of the Republic of South Africa, International Atomic Energy Agency, Board of Governors, 3-7 June 2013

AGENDA ITEM 7D: 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 Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.  My delegation thanks the Director-General for the comprehensive report contained in GOV/2013/27.My delegation thanks the DDG for Safeguards and the Secretariat for the Technical Briefing held on 29 May 2013.

South Africa has read with interest the Director-General’s latest report and notes that the Agency continues to be able to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran, but also that it remains unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.

South Africa notes that the Secretariat and Iran held one further round of talks, in Vienna on 15 May 2013, aimed at concluding the structured approach document. My delegation is concerned that no agreement was reached on the structured approach.

South Africa like many other Member States believes that the structured approach remains an important tool that will allow the Agency to undertake the necessary activities in order to clarify any outstanding matters. In this regard, my delegation calls on Iran and the Secretariat to redouble their efforts to engage constructively and substantively with aview to conclude the discussion on the structured approach.

Chairperson

South Africa encourages Iran to cooperate with the Agency to clarify the outstanding issues in order to restore confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. As we have stated in previous statements, the UN Security Council resolutions are mandatory and in this regard South Africa reiterates its concern about the lack of progress with regard to Iran's compliance with the relevant IAEA and UN Security Council decisions.

In conclusion, as in the past, South Africa once again encourages all parties concerned to avoid any actions that could derail progress towards finding a sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and supports the view that continued dialogue and political goodwill can contribute to a peaceful resolution.

I thank you.

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