SA backs peaceful nuclear energy
David Masango
19 September 2006South Africa cannot support "unwarranted restrictions" on countries that have chosen to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT), says Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.
Sonjica was addressing the general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria on Monday.
South Africa's Special Representative on Disarmament, Abdul Samad Minty, is chairing the regular session of the week-long event, which marks the 50th anniversary of the agency. Minty, the governor of the IAEA board, will also be a panel member in the conference's concluding session.
Unfair discrimination
Sonjica told delegates at the conference that the imposition of additional restrictive measures on some NNPT member states, while allowing others to have access to those capabilities, only aggravated existing inequalities and undermined one of the
central bargains contained in the treaty.
She said there was growing concern that while demands were being made on non-nuclear-weapon states to agree to new measures in the name of non-proliferation, concrete actions towards nuclear disarmament were neglected.
"It is only through full compliance by all states with their respective legal obligations in the areas of non-proliferation and disarmament that peaceful uses of nuclear energy can thrive for the benefit of all," she said.
Role of nuclear energy
The minister added that the increasing recognition of the role that nuclear energy could play in meeting the energy requirements of the 21st century had prompted a review of national energy policies.
"Renewed international commitment to the expansion of nuclear energy requires increased international co-operation to ensure the safety, security and peaceful use of nuclear energy," Sonjica said.
Sonjica reminded the gathering of the principle enshrined in Article IV of the NNPT that nothing in the treaty should affect the right of all parties to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
"This principle provides the necessary framework for the pursuance of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
South Africa recently announced its intention to study the possible beneficiation of its uranium resources in order to meet its long-term energy needs. The country will conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine which areas of the fuel cycle could be pursued.
"We will be methodical in this process and we will do this within the confines of all our obligations," Sonjica said.
She said South Africa was continuously seeking ways of maximising the use of its abundant natural resources.
"As you are aware, good progress is also being made with our own innovative Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR), and it is envisaged that the PBMR demonstration plant will be completed by 2011, with the first commercial modules planned for 2013."
Korea, Iran
The minister expressed South Africa's concern about the lack of progress in finding a lasting solution to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear programme.
"We appeal to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to return to the NNPT, to eliminate all its nuclear weapons and to place all its material and facilities under IAEA safeguards."
On the implementation of NNPT safeguards in Iran, Sonjica said her delegation had noted the co-operation extended by the Iranian authorities to the IAEA, particularly to provide the agency with access to nuclear material and facilities, including the required reports.
However, South Africa had also noted that there was still little progress in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues. At the same time, it was encouraged by the recent preliminary discussions between Iran and the European High Representative.
"South Africa strongly believes that we cannot afford a further major crisis in a region of high tension, conflict, instability and a general lack of security, as well as massive suffering on the part of ordinary citizens."
Source: BuaNews
