Global nuclear developments are accelerating the evolution of IAEA roles and responsibilities to meet new needs of States in areas of nuclear verification, safety, and technology transfer, IAEA Director General Hans Blix said today in an opening statement to the Agency's General Conference. The Conference of the IAEA's 122 Member States, which sets the Agency's programmes and policies, is meeting this week in Vienna, Austria.
"Credible IAEA verification that nuclear materials and related items remain in peaceful activities is an increasingly important factor in nuclear disarmament and global security planning," Dr. Blix said. "At the same time, the magnitude and complexity of the safeguards task continues to increase." In addition, he pointed out, "large increases in the verification effort may result if nuclear materials removed from the military sphere of nuclear-weapon States are placed under safeguards." The Agency started verifying such material last year, he noted.
In reviewing the Agency's programmes and plans, Dr. Blix highlighted developments in a number of specific areas. They included the IAEA's consideration of a request by France to conduct a radiological assessment of its current series of nuclear tests; the Agency's ongoing verification in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; IAEA nuclear inspections in Iraq under the mandate of the UN Security Council; measures to strengthen IAEA nuclear safeguards; possible new verification roles for the Agency; actions against the illicit trafficking in nuclear materials; steps for greater global cooperation in nuclear safety and radioactive waste management; nuclear energy and the environment; and initiatives to strengthen technical cooperation activities.
In many cases, he pointed out, measures being taken at the IAEA are moving forward in spite of continuing budget constraints, and he attributed progress to extrabudgetary resources provided by some Member States, ongoing improvements in programme management and implementation, and the efficiency and skills of IAEA staff. "The machinery of the IAEA has been working at full steam, even with some overpressure," he said, "and we can register considerable movement forward in many areas."
Selected highlights of the Director General's address follow.
French nuclear tests. The Director General noted a recent letter he received from the French Foreign Minister, making reference to the irreversible commitment of France to conclude a comprehensive nuclear test ban in 1996 and its intention to undertake a final series of nuclear tests before that time, and inviting the Agency to conduct a radiological assessment of its series of nuclear tests. Dr. Blix said that the IAEA is considering the request. Agency officials are now consulting French authorities, he said, on matters pertaining to the objectives, scope, modalities, and required expertise for such a scientific mission. He pointed out that the Agency has some "first hand experience" in this field, in light of scientific studies it has previously done at the French Pacific test sites, as well as at sites connected with the former Soviet Union's military nuclear programme at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan.
Safeguards in the DPRK. The IAEA recently held technical discussions with authorities in the DPRK as part of its ongoing verification efforts, he said. "To come into full compliance with the safeguards agreement," Dr. Blix said, "the DPRK will have to do something it has not yet been willing to do, namely enable the Agency effectively to verify the accuracy and completeness of the DPRK's initial report of nuclear material subject to the agreement." The recent discussions resulted in limited progress on some issues, Dr. Blix said. A substantial paper of technical proposals transmitted by the Agency was accepted "only for study, not for discussion" he said.
Nuclear inspections in Iraq. The Agency is verifying new information and data it has received concerning Iraq's thwarted plans in 1990-91 to develop a nuclear weapon, Dr. Blix said. He said that so far in its review of the new information, "nothing suggests that a change is warranted" in the Agency's conclusion that the essential components of Iraq's clandestine nuclear weapons programme have been identified and destroyed, removed, or rendered harmless. He noted that the new Iraqi statements, and all the documents and materials that the Agency has received, will have to be carefully examined for new data. "That they have been withheld for so long is clearly a breach of Iraq's obligations under Security Council resolutions," he said.
Strengthening IAEA safeguards. Dr. Blix reviewed key components of Agency measures -- some already being implemented and others remaining under consideration -- to develop and implement a strengthened and more cost-effective safeguards system. He noted in particular steps to ensure increased access to information about nuclear programmes and broader inspector access to sites within a State. "By making their nuclear activities as transparent as possible to the Agency," he said, "States can help provide the basis for more effective and efficient safeguards." Regarding the costs of strengthening measures, he said they may be offset by efficiencies elsewhere in the safeguards systems. However, he added, "any significant increase in the number of countries accepting full-scope safeguards, or in the number of facilities and amount of material under safeguards, will inevitably involve additional costs."
New and emerging verification roles. Citing developments in areas of nuclear non- proliferation, arms control, and disarmament, Dr. Blix said that some possible new verification roles for the Agency are in sight. "Far-reaching implications" for the IAEA's future work, he said, emanate from the outcome of the Review and Extension Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in May 1995. Among other things, he noted that the Conference expressly recognized the IAEA as the competent authority responsible for verifying and assuring compliance with safeguards agreements; recommended that nuclear material released from military use should be placed under IAEA safeguards; envisaged the universal application of safeguards once the elimination of nuclear weapons had been achieved; set 1996 as the target date for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; called for the early conclusion of a "cut-off" agreement to end the production of nuclear material for use in weapons; and endorsed the creation of additional nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs). Dr. Blix pointed out that IAEA safeguards are being considered as an "essential element" of the verification mechanism for a cut-off agreement; that the Agency would have a verification role in any new NWFZ, given existing models; and that the IAEA already carries out safeguards tasks of relevance to verification of a test ban treaty, though its possible roles under a specific test ban treaty remain to be determined.
Illicit trafficking in nuclear materials. In reviewing key elements of the Agency's action programme against problems of illicit nuclear trafficking, Dr. Blix noted that the work is part of efforts by nuclear, customs, and enforcement authorities of many countries and a number of international organizations to strengthen and coordinate controls on radioactive materials. "It is clear that more efforts are needed and that States must exercise greater prudence in the use and storage of all radioactive materials," he said. He noted that the Agency's programme is largely directed to assisting States in areas related to the accounting and control of nuclear materials; physical protection methods and technology; and the establishment of a database to provide factual information about reported incidents of trafficking.
Nuclear safety and radioactive waste management. The Director General cited a number of developments. He said that the Convention on Nuclear Safety, adopted in June 1994, could enter into force as early as next year, and that preparations for a Convention on Radioactive Waste Safety have been "encouraging", with a final draft possible by next year. Work also is continuing, he noted, for a Diplomatic Conference in 1996 to revise the Vienna Convention on liability for nuclear damage. Regarding the Agency's work on the safety assessment of nuclear power plants in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, he said that an international consensus now exists that identifies the major safety issues and their significance for each of the various reactor types. He further noted that Agency experts have been working closely with authorities in Armenia and Russia regarding safety issues at the Medzamor nuclear plant, which the Government of Armenia plans to restart. Separately, he noted, the Agency is working with Russian authorities on possible cooperative activities between Russia and other States in areas of radioactive waste management. The Director General also pointed towards a major international conference being organized for April 1996 by the IAEA, World Health Organization, and European Union to sum up the accumulated knowledge about the nature and magnitude of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident.
Nuclear energy and the environment. The Director General reviewed the Agency's programme on the comparative assessment of energy sources, which is providing documented data, methodologies, and analyses on the comparative economic social, health, and environmental aspects of different energy sources for electricity generation. "Detailed studies on the emissions and residuals from nuclear, fossil, and renewable energy chains show that nuclear power in normal operation is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of generating electricity," he said. He noted that the IAEA is convening an international symposium next month to review recent progress in the Agency's programme.
Technical cooperation. The IAEA's technical cooperation programme delivery is the highest ever in the history of the Agency, the Director General noted. He attributed the increase to improved management practices, better design and support of projects and other iniatives. He further emphasized that the success of programmes depends on the availability of predictable resources, and appealed for full contributions to the Technical Cooperation Fund. In reviewing specific projects, Dr. Blix referred to special reports before the General Conference on isotope hydrology and the use of nuclear energy for potable water production.