General Debate
Statements from twelve countries and the European Commission were presented at the General Debate this afternoon. Selected points follow. Also see the IAEA's Daily Press Review, which includes reports on the IAEA General Conference from national and international news media.

Selected points from statements follow:

Austria: Nuclear safety is of paramount importance to the country and Agency efforts to strengthen the international safety regime were commended, especially through international conventions establishing binding national commitments. Austria considers nuclear safety a key issue in the current negotiations on the enlargement of the European Union. It requested the Agency's assistance in its efforts for ensuring the highest safety standards and the Environmental Impact Assessment of the nuclear power station at Temelin. The Agency was encouraged to pursue the issue of early decommissioning of nuclear power plants that cannot be upgraded, and to place greater priority on the safety of research reactors. The involvement and participation of civil society in decision-making processes further were encouraged. Austria fully supports efforts to strengthen both technology transfer and safeguards programmes, saying that the implementation of the integrated safeguards system testifies to the potential role of the Agency in the verification of disarmament and arms-control agreements. The Agency's work against illicit trafficking was described as pivotal in coordinating global efforts to increase the security of nuclear materials and radioactive sources.

Morocco: The statement expressed hope that Agency initiatives would lead to positive developments for the application of safeguards in the Middle East on all nuclear facilities in all States of the region. The value of peaceful nuclear applications to the fulfillment of basic human needs was underlined, particularly for the generation of electricity and production of water. Morocco places high priority on nuclear and radiation safety, and the country stands ready open its national radiation protection centre and its centre for the study of nuclear science and techniques for service to sub-Sahara Africa and Arab States.

Philippines: The statement attached particular importance to technology transfer activities, describing a range of projects being supported by the IAEA in the country. They include support for a planned multi-year pest control campaign on Guimaras Island using the sterile insect technique to protect mango crops; a planned irradiation facility for sterilizing medical products, foodstuffs, and other items; application of nuclear and related techniques to combat "red tide" contamination in coastal areas; and projects for water development and management of resources. In the framework of a regional project, the country will host a training workshop on geochemical modelling for water assessment this October.

Germany: The country's evolving energy policy is placing greater weight on renewable energy sources, energy conservation, improved efficiency of power plants, and the decommissioning of nuclear plants after a total lifetime of 32 years. Transport of used nuclear fuel to reprocessing plants will continue until July 2005 at the latest, with only the direct disposal of spent fuel permitted thereafter. Exploration of waste disposal at a repository in Gorleben is delayed for at least three years, and possibly a decade, to evaluate safety issues. Germany's phaseout of nuclear power does not change its attitude toward the IAEA, which it considers the most important forum in the nuclear field. It sees the Agency's central missions as guaranteeing the peaceful use of nuclear materials; providing a global forum for safety standards; and providing objective information on all aspects of nuclear technology. Germany supports the IAEA's evolving role in the verification of ex-military nuclear material, and is of the view that, for the financing of related verification measures, a mandatory fund with a greater financial share for those nuclear weapon States who are at the origin of these fissile materials seems to be a fair and appropriate solution.

Israel: Agency initiatives in the field of radioactive waste management were commended, and Israel urges the IAEA to play an educational role by stimulating technical and scientific discussion and help build a factual and objective basis for future national decisions. The importance of a Middle East regional project for promoting cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy was described as making positive contributions to the solution of common problems in areas of water management, environmental protection, human health, and agriculture. Regarding nuclear safety and security, Israel is finalizing the process of ratifying the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which it sees as central to the challenge of preventing illicit trafficking and ensuring the overall safety of nuclear materials and facilities. The statement further expressed support of research and development of innovative nuclear plant designs that are safer, economically competitive, and proliferation resistant. On issues related to the application of safeguards in the Middle East, Israel is firmly committed to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the region in the proper context and time, being of the view that nuclear issues in the region cannot realistically be lifted out of a comprehensive and stable framework of peace, reconciliation and security.

Australia: The management and transport of radioactive materials are of major importance to the country, and efforts to strengthen the international framework were welcomed. Support was expressed for the development of a code of conduct on radiation safety and the security of radioactive material, and the higher priority being given to the ensuring the safety of research reactors. States were further encouraged to apply high standards of safety during transport of radioactive material on the seas, and to assure compensation for damages in the case of an accident. Regarding verification and non-proliferation issues, the statement reaffirmed Australia's support for and commitment to the NPT and the importance of the IAEA's roles. Concerns were expressed over the Agency's inability to fully implement safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Australia hoped that developments on the Korean peninsula lead to resolution of outstanding issues and fuller cooperation.

Czech Republic: The implementation of international safeguards is being strengthened in the country in line with the conclusion of the Additional Protocol last year; the Czech Parliament is expected to consider the Protocol's ratification by early next year. New arrangements have been drawn up in consultation with the IAEA for safeguarding the country's nuclear power plants. The country further attaches high priority to efforts against illicit nuclear trafficking and the physical protection of nuclear materials, welcoming the Agency's work in these areas, including the organization of a workshop in the country last year. Regarding nuclear regulation and safety, the Czech legislative and regulatory framework for the use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation has been reformed, drawing upon national and international experience and recommendations. Plans are moving ahead for the operational start of the Temelin nuclear plant, which has been intensively reviewed and inspected by the regulatory authority and opened to teams of international experts in the interests of safety. The statement emphasized and reviewed the government's extensive international and regional record of cooperation in areas of nuclear safety and radiation protection, and reaffirmed that the country is ready and willing to maintain a broad dialogue on these issues, noting that the next consultative meeting with respect to Temelin is scheduled early next month.

Namibia: The statement focused on the importance of technology transfer and enumerated projects in various fields that are being implemented with the Agency's support. Measures to strengthen the technical cooperation programme were strongly supported, and the importance of the AFRA regional cooperative arrangement was stressed. IAEA-supported projects providing valuable results in Namibia include those related to improving animal health and productivity; establishing radiotherapy capabilities for health care; the use of isotopes in water investigations; and nuclear applications for improving soil and water management. Regarding verification, Namibia signed the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement earlier this year and is now finalizing steps for its ratification and entry into force.

Finland: The need for a rigorous legislative and regulatory framework for radioactive waste management was emphasized in the context of the world's growing interdependence regarding the future uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Special attention to the decommissioning of nuclear facilities was welcomed, as was progress toward the entry into force of the Joint Convention on spent fuel and radioactive waste management safety. The country considers that the Agency's technical cooperation programme could be an important vehicle for promoting the adoption of the planned code of conduct on radiation safety and security of radioactive materials. Finland's active role is the field of spent fuel management, from the standpoint of both safety and safeguards, was described. Finland soon will be taking decisions on the final disposal of spent fuel and on the assessment of specific disposal sites.

Slovenia: Improvements and upgrades have been made at the Krsko nuclear power plant and others are in progress. A full-scope training simulator has been installed and tested, and it was licensed for use in March this year. These steps have modernized the plant and are expected to contribute to the safe extension of its operational lifetime. The country further places high priority on emergency preparedness, and commended the Agency's work in this area through a regional project and other mechanisms. Regarding verification, Slovenia's parliament ratified the Additional Protocol in July this year. It has also adopted legislation on the export of dual use items to reinforce controls over equipment, material and technology that may be used for making weapons of mass destruction or producing ballistic missiles and explosives.

United Kingdom: The Agency's work on safety standards was singled out, with the view that it should be given high priority in the nuclear safety programme. Progress in developing safety standards for the fuel cycle is seen as particularly beneficial in the context of the Joint Convention on the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste management. Regarding verification, the country in May this year enacted the Nuclear Safeguards Act, an important step towards the entry in to force of the Additional Protocol with the IAEA. The country has submitted voluntary declarations of required information under the Protocol to the IAEA; additionally, it has reported exports of separated neptunium up to the end of 1999, and will be updating reporting of past exports of separated americium. Agency efforts were commended to fully integrate the safeguards system.

Syria: The statement emphasized the need for achieving solutions on the application of safeguards in the Middle East in all States and on all nuclear facilities, recalling past resolutions and the outcome of the recent NPT Review Conference on this subject. Positive action by Israel would be a productive step to enhance peace and security in the region, and toward the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone. Regarding technology transfer, Syria expressed its concern over the stagnant level of funding for technical cooperation and urged that a more stable and predictable funding approach be found.

European Commission: The safety of reactors in countries seeking EC membership is of great importance, and the statement reviewed associated activities. The IAEA has offered to work closely with the EC to help determine reactors whose safety standards are at satisfactory levels. Some plants which cannot be upgraded at reasonable costs would have to be closed. The EC recently created a fund to provide assistance to candidate countries is which closures are anticipated, and a loan has been provided to help upgrade units in Bulgaria. Also described was the EC's cooperative work with the Ukraine relative to the Chernobyl plant, and with Armenia and Russia in areas of safety. Regarding energy and environmental issues and trends, the EC is planning to open a dialogue to examine issues in the European and global context. These issues include the potential long-term contribution of nuclear power for electricity generation in light of environmental concerns and particularly emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil-fired units, and the decision of several EC countries to phase out nuclear power and turn to gas-fired plants.