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IAEA is suffering from moral authority and credibility crisis: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, Sept 20, IRNA -- It appears that the Agency is suffering from moral authority and credibility crisis, Director of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday.

Salehi said in his speech to the 54th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency: 'At present, based on our Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (INFCIRC/214), all of my country's nuclear installations are subject to Agency’s routine monitoring and inspections. Since 2003 more than 5000 man-days of inspections have been conducted; this is unprecedented in the history of the IAEA. The result of such huge efforts has always led to the most essential conclusion by the Agency that there has been no diversion to non-peaceful activities. However, in spite of all the above conclusive evidences and in addition to the sincere and the cooperation extended by my country till now, unfortunately, the Agency has unfortunately oppositely reacted. For example, there were points in the Director General's last report concerning Iran's nuclear activities that do not accord with the norms and procedures of the Agency's mandate and also are not based on impartiality and fairness, thus leaving no room but to reflect the notion of political influence exerted by certain powers in the decision making trends of this unique international technical body. It should be reminded that for the sake of credibility the verification process which has been accepted envisaged in the safeguards agreement must be implemented without any biased political interest or double standards. It appears that the Agency is suffering from moral authority and credibility crisis.

'This notion of political interference and influence has regrettably left its footprints even in the field of technical cooperation as well. Although the primary and fundamental principles of the Agency are based on the clear and irreversible stipulation, that Clearly, tthe Agency's technical cooperation and assistance should not be subjected to any political conditions as stipulated in the statute and its guidelines INFCIRC/267; yet, it has recently been observed that due to pressures exerted by few countries, certain unjustifiable constraints have been imposed by the Secretariat on the participation of Iran in the Agency's programs in the safety domain of peaceful nuclear activities. We are all aware that nuclear safety is of global importance; any negligence in rendering services in this field may lead to hazardous nuclear events of international dimension. Recent inexcusable restrictions imposed by the Agency on my country, will certainly be counterproductive to the Agency’s claim for enforcing global nuclear safety standards. How could we further enhance acquire the necessary assurances for deployment of our nuclear safety standards in my country’s nuclear installations while we are witnessing the hampering of thewithout active participation of our experts in related international conferences, and workshops and meetings organizedheld by the AgencyAgency?; Undoubtedly, such unjustified and unreasonable attitude and conduct who shall lead to undesired consequences regarding the establishment of mutual confidence among Member States bear the eventual responsibility of such unreasonable decisions with possible catastrophic consequences?

'The issue of confidentiality is among issues that has caused deep concern for my country with respect to the Agency's performance. Member States should not find their national security endangered and their classified information under no circumstances should be disclosed. Close monitoring scrutiny under the guidance of the Director General should be devoted to this matter particularly with respect to recent developments by the Agency.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran in accordance with its legal commitments has always tried to extend its utmost cooperation and interaction with the Agency and has also spent sincere efforts to perform its peaceful nuclear activities within the NPT framework as well as the Agency’s statuary guidelines and the comprehensive safeguards.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran in order to realize its national interests, has incorporated the use of peaceful nuclear technology in its development plans; and by deploying the state of art engineering techniques and standards has ably enhanced its domestic capability in this respect.

Elsewhere in his speech, Salehi said that the Agency's annual session provides an opportunity for assessing the global community's efforts in achieving the peaceful objectives of an organization which has been primarily established for the realization of people's well being and prosperity. This important gathering of Member States from different parts of the world with various beliefs and backgrounds reflects the manifestation of the international community’s collective will power to sharing thoughts, exchanging opinions and experiences as well as attempting to offer best possible and amenable solutions to resolving emerging outstanding issues. The Agency in its turn should provide all the necessary elements and the environment conducive for the realization of such a noble objective.

'Another issue worth raising concerns the provision of needed fuel for Tehran Research Reactor which is directly related to radiopharmaceutical needs of thousands of patients. Despite repeated efforts by Iran for more mutual confidence building, merely as a sign of good intention, no encouraging result has yet been achieved. The joint declaration concluded between the Islamic Republic of Iran, Brazil and Turkey on 17 May 2010, was a positive gesture by Iran for the realization of a solution to the fuel swap issue as well as sustaining the ongoing dialogue and talks. This trend was also subjected to unjustly political pressure of few counties, , some of which possses nuclear weapons, resulting in the issuance of unjustified and illegal resolution 1929. Certainly, the uncivilized double track approach of threat and dialogue (stick and carrot) cannot be conducive and fruitful. This is a new case in point that there is no assurance of nuclear fuel supply.

'Hence, once more we call upon the Vienna group, based on the internationally acknowledged Tehran Declaration, we call upon the Vienna group to resume talks with my country as soon as is possible without further delay.

'After 40 years from the inception of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) the world still witnesses the imbalance between Disarmament and Non-Proliferation; and the international community keeps suffering from this imbalance. Although, recently there have been some seemingly positive statements catchphrases made in the field of Disarmament, there is yet an utter urgency for essential practical steps to be taken towards total elimination of nuclear weapons and the achievement of the comprehensive disarmament goalsthere are still much more practical steps needed to be taken toward achieving total comprehensive Disarmament.

'Realization of a world free of nuclear weapons is among the prominent priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Attaining this objective requires that all three pillars of NPT, primarily Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and the materialization of the inalienable right for peaceful use of nuclear energy be pursued in an unbiased and balanced manner.

'The importance of worldwide Nuclear Disarmament the above subject led, in the current year, to the holding of Tehran International Conference on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament with the Moto (Nuclear Energy for All, Nuclear Weapons for None) Conference. Likewise, the recent NPT Review Conference also shed more light on this issue matter and brought into prominence thisthe above just global demand into prominence more than ever before. For the first time a consensus was made on demanding the Zionist regime to become a party of the NPT.

'Moreover, in the course of the 'Tehran International Conference on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament' which was held with the Moto (Nuclear Energy for All, Nuclear Weapons for None) all the participants from 60 countries expressed their deep concern over stockpile, deployment and the expansion of Weapons of Mass Destruction particularly, nuclear weapons. During this gathering the participants also reiterated on the necessity of applying comprehensive Disarmamentdisarmament, as a first priority,, and thethrough establishment of a mandatory convention for the removal of nuclear weapons.

'Along the same line, the Islamic Republic of Iran, since many years, has been continuously emphasizing the creation of a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East region in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 487, unanimous resolution of 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference and the following 2010 conference as well as the relevant General Assembly resolutionsResolutions. For the first time a consensus was made on demanding the Zionist regime to promptly become a party of the NPT.

'It is to be reminded that the 2010 NPT review Review conferences Conference has stressed on the necessity of the Zionist regime to join the NPT and to place all its nuclear installations under the Agency's Comprehensive Safeguards;. However, due to support given by its western allies, no action has yet been taken in this respect.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran invites all peace loving countries to further intensify deploy their efforts on exerting more pressure on this regime to unconditionally submit to this international demandjoin the NPT and to place all its nuclear installations under the Agency's monitoring system. Iran, would also like to bring into attention that such highly valued objectives should not be allowed to be influenced and manipulated by biased political inclinations. It is high time to realign our mind sets, away from political games, and to redirect our collective efforts towards a balanced treatment of countries seeking peaceful nuclear technology on the one hand, and on the other hand to put intense pressure on those who out rightly defy the unanimous decision of the 2010 Review Conference to join the Treaty.

'It is also worth noting that the 2010 NPT Review Conference as well reaffirms the right of all states to peaceful use of nuclear energy without discrimination and without jeopardizing their plan for having access to complete nuclear fuel cycle subject to the IAEA supervision.

'We should make sure. It is utterly important to differentiate between the Safeguards commitment of Member States and the confidence building measures made on voluntary basis. and the safeguards commitment of the member statesMember States. The Agency as a responsibleAs a sole international verification body, the Agency is responsible only for carries the duty of assuring the adherence commitments of Member States to their safeguards agreements and should at no time declare the voluntary measures of member statesMember States as mandatory. Moreover, the verification system carried out by the Agency must be implemented without discrimination and double standard approach.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran is an active member of the IAEA. Through its diligent national efforts it has been able to make huge leaps in acquiring advance nuclear technology.

'I take this opportunity to state our readiness to offer our valuable nuclear experiences to other Member States under the supervision of the Agency. At this opportunity to state our readiness to offer, that considering the suitable capabilities possessed by the I.R. of Iran, it can play a vital role in exporting technological and nuclear engineering services.

'In this respect, I would like to propose Iran's membership in the regional groups as well as heading the relevant group in the region, responsible for the research, production and development of radioisotopes.

'At the same time, in view of the increasing importance of research and Development of nuclear fusion, I stress on the proposal to establish an office in this field in the IAEA.

'In light of recent interest shown by our neighbors to having nuclear power plants, we suggest the formation of a regional technical group for sharing and exchanging know-how and expertise, specifically in the area of nuclear safety,' Salehi said.
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 275208