UNITED
NATIONS
Security Council
Distr.
GENERAL
S/1995/599
19 July 1995
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
/... S/1995/599
English
Page
S/1995/599
English
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LETTER DATED 11 JULY 1995 FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSED
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Illicit trafficking in nuclear materials continues and is a matter of
growing concern. The States Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty have decided to extend the Treaty indefinitely. The international
community also needs to place constraints on non-State actors, whose
activities are the more dangerous because of their clandestine nature. I
have been following this issue closely for over a year. Some months ago I
asked Mr. Jacques Attali to prepare for me a personal report on it. Mr.
Attali's conclusions, which he has since published in book form, have
strengthened my conviction that there is a need for concerted action by
States and the relevant intergovernmental agencies.
I am in close touch with Dr. Hans Blix, the Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is giving this issue high
priority and has begun to execute an action plan to address it. The
Agency's concern is matched by many Governments, as was demonstrated when,
at its recent meeting in Halifax, the Group of Seven (G-7) accepted the
offer of President Yeltsin to host a summit in the spring to discuss
nuclear safety, including the issue of illicit trafficking. There is also
a clear public perception that this is a serious matter, as evidenced by
the number of references in the media and by the activity of non-
governmental organizations.
In the circumstances the Security Council may wish to consider the
usefulness of expressing its own appreciation of the importance of this
issue by issuing a statement in which it would support the IAEA's efforts
and call on the international community to increase its vigilance. The
statement could also welcome the initiative of President Yeltsin. This
action by the Council would complement the references to nuclear
proliferation in its Statement of 31 January 1992.
I should be grateful if you could bring this matter to the attention of
the members of the Security Council.
(Signed) Boutros BOUTROS-GHALI
-----95-21677 (E) 190795
*9521677*
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