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 Non-Aligned Nations on Iran Nuke Pgm (Full Text) 
  
 Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit 
  
 sent by Dave Muller (southnews) - Mar 9, 2006 
  
 The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) representatives at the International 
 Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Wednesday March 8 
 issued a statement on Iran's nuclear program. 
  
 The full text of the statement by the NAM countries, which was delivered 
 by Ambassador and Resident Representative of Malaysia to the IAEA, 
 Rajmah Hussain, is as follows: 
  
 "Agenda item 5 (b): Report by the director general on the implementation 
 of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran 
  
 Mr chairman, 
  
 I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of the Vienna chapter 
 of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). 
  
 NAM expresses its appreciation to the director general for his 
 comprehensive report on the "implementation of the NPT Safeguards 
 Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran" as contained in document 
 GOV/2006/15 dated February 27, 2006 as well as for his introductory 
 statement. In this regard, NAM calls upon member states and the agency 
 to respect the confidentiality of the documents issued for our 
 consideration in order to protect the integrity of the agency and the board. 
  
 NAM expresses its appreciation to the director general and the agency 
 and encourages them to continue their work and efforts in resolving all 
 the issues pertaining to the Iran nuclear program. 
  
 NAM strongly reiterates the basic and inalienable right of all member 
 states, as stipulated in the Statute of the IAEA, to develop research, 
 production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any 
 discrimination and in conformity with their respective legal 
 obligations. Therefore nothing should be interpreted in a way as 
 inhibiting or restricting this right of member states to develop atomic 
 energy for peaceful purposes. NAM further more reaffirms that member 
 states' choices and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear 
 technology and its fuel cycle policies must be respected. 
  
 NAM reiterates its principled position that non-proliferation and 
 peaceful uses of nuclear technology must be addressed in a balanced and 
 non-discriminatory manner. NAM reaffirms its strong conviction that the 
 total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee 
 against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. 
  
 NAM also believes that the efforts of the international community aimed 
 at nuclear disarmament should be equal and simultaneous to the efforts 
 aiming at nuclear non-proliferation. 
  
 NAM would like to emphasize that it is fundamental to make a clear 
 distinction between legal obligations of member states to their 
 respective safeguards agreements and their voluntary commitments. This 
 is required to ensure that voluntary commitments of member states will 
 not be turned into legal safeguards obligations. NAM is of the view that 
 member states should not be penalized for not adhering to their 
 voluntary commitments. 
  
 NAM is pleased to note that all the declared nuclear material in Iran 
 has been accounted for, and that the agency has not seen any diversion 
 of such material to prohibited activities. NAM is aware that corrective 
 actions have been taken by Iran and that no new failures were 
 identified. NAM notes that the verification of the correctness and 
 completeness of Iran's respective declarations is ongoing. NAM also 
 recognizes that any rightful activity under the agency's safeguard does 
 not constitute any concern. 
  
 NAM is also pleased to note that substantial progress has been made that 
 was key in resolving the issues pertaining to the implementation of 
 Iran's safeguards agreements, including the agreement by Iran for the 
 agency to visit defence and other nuclear related sites, permitting 
 interviews with certain individuals as well as providing the necessary 
 documents and information relating to the nuclear issue. In this regard, 
 NAM is optimistic that the remaining issues will be promptly resolved. 
  
 NAM expresses its appreciation to Iran's continuing cooperation, even 
 beyond its legal obligations, and welcomes the initiatives of Iran 
 aiming at a greater degree of transparency. NAM encourages Iran to 
 continue its cooperation with the agency to resolve remaining issues 
 especially with regard to the full scope and nature of Iran's nuclear 
 program. 
  
 NAM concurs with the assessment by the director general in his report 
 that the process of drawing a conclusion with regard to the absence of 
 undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran is a time-consuming 
 process even with an Additional Protocol in force. In this regard, NAM 
 recognizes that through continued cooperation, the agency would be able, 
 without undue pressure, to conclude its verification work in Iran. 
  
 NAM wishes to emphasize the role of the agency and the director general 
 in ensuring the safe and peaceful development and use of nuclear 
 technologies. It is in this regard that both the agency and its director 
 general were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2005. NAM recognizes the 
 IAEA as the sole competent authority for verification and expresses its 
 full confidence in the professionalism and impartiality of the IAEA led 
 by the director general. In this regard, NAM strongly believes that all 
 issues on safeguards and verification, including those of Iran, should 
 be resolved only by the agency, within its framework, and be based on 
 technical and legal grounds. NAM further emphasizes that the agency 
 continues its work to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue within its 
 mandate under the IAEA Statute. 
  
 NAM strongly believes that diplomacy and dialogue must continue in order 
 to find a long-term peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. To 
 this end, NAM is of the view that engagement of other UN bodies at this 
 juncture should be avoided. All parties concerned must exercise patience 
 and restraint and should not resort to any action which may escalate 
 into a tense situation and create unnecessary confrontation. 
  
 In encouraging an environment of cooperation to find a mutually 
 acceptable solution to this issue, NAM appreciates all initiatives aimed 
 at facilitating the speedy conclusion of the Iranian nuclear issue 
 within the IAEA. NAM welcomes the continued discussion between the 
 Russian federation and Iran with the view to finding a solution to the 
 uranium enrichment program. 
  
 Thank you mr chairman." 
  
 The archives of South News can be found at 
 http://southmovement.alphalink.com.au/southnews/ 
  
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