42nd IAEA General Conference

France, Mr. Yannick d’Escatha, Head of French Delegation

France is making efforts to ratify its Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement as soon as possible, he said. He further noted that his country will spare no effort in support of the 2000 NPT Review Conference. He expressed concern over the situation in Iraq and North Korea regarding Agency safeguards, noting that France urges Iraq to promptly resume its cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA and completely fulfill its obligations. Regarding the test ban treaty, he urged States to sign and ratify it so that it can enter into force, and further appealed for support of negotiations on a cut-off treaty for production of weapons-grade fissile material. On the subject of nuclear power, he emphasized the imperative of safety and international cooperation in the field and the importance of relevant international conventions. He said that the French parliament should be approving shortly the joint convention of radioactive waste and spent fuel safety. He pointed out the importance of radiation safety and security of radiation sources and urged that a code of good practice be adopted to prevent potential hazards and ensure safe management of radioactive materials. Noting efforts to strengthen technical cooperation programmes, he said that good progress has been made and encouraged continued cooperation, including through regional agreements. On budget matters, he said France supports a flexible approach to zero growth and is concerned about the increasing use of extrabudgetary funds for programme activities. In describing national nuclear developments, he said that France has stepped up its efforts for the management of high-level waste, including investigation of geological sites and that work has been authorized to start for research focusing on underground waste storage in Eastern France. He said that French nuclear policy aims to keep the nuclear power option open until 2010, and that the country now is reorganizing elements of nuclear oversight bodies to include creation of an independent administrative authority and that the Institute for Nuclear Safety and

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France, Mr. Yannick d’Escatha, Head of French Delegation



France is making efforts to ratify its Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement as soon as possible, he said. He further noted that his country will spare no effort in support of the 2000 NPT Review Conference. He expressed concern over the situation in Iraq and North Korea regarding Agency safeguards, noting that France urges Iraq to promptly resume its cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA and completely fulfill its obligations. Regarding the test ban treaty, he urged States to sign and ratify it so that it can enter into force, and further appealed for support of negotiations on a cut-off treaty for production of weapons-grade fissile material. On the subject of nuclear power, he emphasized the imperative of safety and international cooperation in the field and the importance of relevant international conventions. He said that the French parliament should be approving shortly the joint convention of radioactive waste and spent fuel safety. He pointed out the importance of radiation safety and security of radiation sources and urged that a code of good practice be adopted to prevent potential hazards and ensure safe management of radioactive materials. Noting efforts to strengthen technical cooperation programmes, he said that good progress has been made and encouraged continued cooperation, including through regional agreements. On budget matters, he said France supports a flexible approach to zero growth and is concerned about the increasing use of extrabudgetary funds for programme activities. In describing national nuclear developments, he said that France has stepped up its efforts for the management of high-level waste, including investigation of geological sites and that work has been authorized to start for research focusing on underground waste storage in Eastern France. He said that French nuclear policy aims to keep the nuclear power option open until 2010, and that the country now is reorganizing elements of nuclear oversight bodies to include creation of an independent administrative authority and that the Institute for Nuclear Safety and