A Minty: 2010 Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Review
Conference

1 May 2007

Chairperson,

Since this is the first time that I am taking the floor, allow me to
congratulate you on your election as Chair of this First Preparatory Committee
(PrepCom) meeting for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review
Conference (RevCon) and to assure you of my delegation's fullest support and
co-operation during the course of deliberations.

In the context of the deliberations that will be taking place at this
PrepCom, South Africa will be putting forward its own views both in the context
of this statement, as well as in statements during our consideration of
specific issues.

We are also associated with the statements and proposals that will be made
by the Non-Aligned Movement and the New Agenda Coalition. This statement by our
delegation, will concentrate on general issues related to our work.

Chairperson,

For my delegation, this meeting is indeed an important occasion. It is the
start of a new Review Cycle of an almost universal instrument that has become
the foundation of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Whilst
we agree that the events of the past few years have certainly tested the NPT,
we remain convinced that this instrument has and can continue to make a
significant contribution to international peace and security. As we enter the
new Review Cycle, let it be our resolve to strengthen this instrument through
the full implementation of all our obligations and commitments agreed to at
previous Review conferences, in full recognition of our rights under the
Treaty.

Since the 2000 Review conference, we have witnessed an increasing emphasis
by some states on the non-proliferation aspect of the Treaty, sometimes even to
the exclusion of the other equally important provisions of the Treaty. I need
to repeat today that the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and the
assurance that they will never be produced again remain the only assurance
against their use. This should remain our highest priority.

Recent pronouncements by some nuclear-weapon states seem to suggest that the
unspecific terms of Article six of the NPT do not bind them to any specific
timeframe to undertake their obligations under the Treaty. Let me remind you of
what my country has been saying since we became a State Party to the Treaty:
Any presumption of the indefinite possession of nuclear weapons by the
nuclear-weapon states remains incompatible with the provisions of the NPT, as
well as with the broader goal of the maintenance of international peace and
security. By casting doubt about the true meaning of Article six and by
completely ignoring the various agreements reached at previous Review
conferences, including the unequivocal undertaking to nuclear disarmament made
by all states parties during the 2000 NPT Review conference, such statements
only serve to inspire others to also renege on their obligations and
undertakings and unravel what can only be described as a carefully balanced
pact between the haves and have-nots.

Upon South Africa's accession to the NPT we accepted the inherently
discriminatory nature of the NPT, whereby some states are recognised as
nuclear-weapon states and all other states are recognised as non-nuclear-weapon
states. However, all non-nuclear-weapon states, including South Africa, believe
that maintaining this indefinite discriminatory approach is incompatible with
our common objective of a world free of nuclear weapons, and indeed also with
the obligations contained in the NPT.

Chairperson,

For South Africa, the NPT remains as relevant as ever and we will continue
to promote universal adherence to it. To quote from the words of South Africa's
late Foreign Minister, Mr Alfred Nzo, at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension
conference "South Africa took the decision to destroy its nuclear weapons and
to become a State Party to the NPT because we saw our security being guaranteed
by its provisions."

While the primary responsibility for undertaking the necessary steps for the
elimination of nuclear weapons lies with the nuclear-weapon states, it should
be emphasised that the obligation to work towards this goal also lies with all
states and humanity as a whole. Nuclear weapons are not only a threat to their
possessors; they are a threat to all of humankind.

In this context, South Africa recognises and highly appreciates the valuable
contribution made by civil society in highlighting this threat and mobilising
communities against nuclear weapons. We believe that all States should
strengthen their partnership with civil society in order to realise our common
goal of the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Chairperson,

I would like to highlight some of the important steps on the road to nuclear
disarmament thereby leading to the elimination of all nuclear weapons:

The three states that have not yet done so should adhere unconditionally and
without delay to the NPT as non-nuclear-weapon states.

We need to work towards the early return of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea to the NPT and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The states that have not yet done so should conclude full-scope safeguards
agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, to be followed by
additional protocols on the basis of the Model Protocol approved by the Board
of Governors of the Agency on 15 May 1997.

Those states that have not yet done so, should sign and ratify
unconditionally and without delay, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
(CTBT) and, pending the entry into force of the Treaty, to observe a moratorium
on nuclear tests. The CTBT is a major instrument in the field of nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation and was an integral part of the 1995
agreement that allowed the indefinite extension of the Treaty. We recall that
the 2000 Review conference recognised the early entry into force of the CTBT as
a practical step to achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
objectives.

There is a need to conclude negotiations on a fissile material treaty that
would ban the future production of fissile material for weapons purposes. We
are encouraged by developments in the conference on disarmament that could lead
to the commencement of negotiations on a fissile material treaty, if states can
show the necessary political will to make it happen.

South Africa supports all efforts to establish a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in
the Middle East, as such a zone will extend the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in
Africa, thereby establishing a contiguous zone free of nuclear weapons.

South Africa continues to support the Trilateral Initiative between the
United States, the Russian Federation and the International Atomic Energy
Agency, which seeks to reduce the level of weapons-grade material in the two
countries and place the resulting material under IAEA control. We reiterate our
call for the completion and implementation of the Trilateral Initiative.

South Africa continues to support the placing by all the nuclear-weapon
States of fissile material no longer required for military purposes under
international verification by the IAEA.

South Africa strongly supports the principle of regular reporting, within
the framework of the strengthened review process for the NPT, by all states
parties on the implementation of Article six and paragraph 4 (c) of the 1995
Decision on "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and
Disarmament."

South Africa will continue to support activities aimed at strengthening and
developing verification capabilities to provide assurance of compliance with
nuclear disarmament agreements for the achievement and maintenance of a
nuclear-weapon-free world.

At the same time, we remain concerned at the lack of the expected progress
following the unequivocal undertaking by nuclear-weapon states to accomplish
the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament
agreed to at the 2000 NPT RevCon.

Notwithstanding this concern, South Africa is particularly encouraged by the
recent statement of a nuclear-weapon State reaffirming its unequivocal
undertaking to the disarmament measures contained in the 1995 and 2000 Review
conference decisions and final document. We call upon the other nuclear-weapon
states to also reaffirm the same commitment. Whilst South Africa also welcomes
the reduction of this nuclear-weapon state's operationally available warheads
and the assurances that they will be fully dismantled, we believe that such
reductions should be irreversible.

Chairperson,

Care should be taken not to expand the current "have or have not" regime
with regard to nuclear weapons also to the capacity to produce nuclear fuel and
to approach the issues surrounding nuclear fuel exclusively as a problem in
non-proliferation, without any recognition of the importance of such controls
in shaping the future of disarmament.

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), my delegation wishes to reiterate that there should be no
unwarranted restrictions on the inalienable right of states to the peaceful
application of nuclear energy. The Agency has since its inception achieved
significant progress in fostering the peaceful use of nuclear energy in its
Member states, and this process needs to be strengthened and enlarged in the
next 50 years.

States parties should therefore guard against actions, which would merely
serve to exacerbate existing inequalities. With regard to current discussions
on the fuel cycle, it is imperative that we do not create another kind of
cartel that would exclude full participation, particularly by States in full
compliance with their safeguards obligations. We wish to recall that nothing in
the NPT shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all parties
to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
without discrimination and in conformity with Articles one, two and three.

The NPT provides a framework of confidence and co-operation within which the
development of the peaceful uses of the atom can take place. The establishment
of credible mechanisms to assure the reliable supply of nuclear fuel should
involve the Agency, which has a legitimate role in accordance with its Statute
to encourage and assist the practical application of nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes. Furthermore, the Agency also has a special responsibility to
take into consideration the needs of the under-developed areas of the world.
These discussions focussing on the need for and the possible framework of a
mechanism to ensure access to nuclear fuel should not involve any preconditions
that would even hint at the possibility that non-nuclear-weapon states, in
conformity with their legal obligations under the NPT, should forgo their
inalienable right.

Chairperson,

With regard to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the role of the
International Atomic Energy Agency, South Africa wishes to reiterate the
importance of ensuring that resources to the Technical Co-operation Programme
are sufficient, assured and predictable. Such resources would enable the Agency
"to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health
and prosperity throughout the world," as provided for under its statute.

We commend the Agency for its continuing effort to identify elements within
the TC Programme that can be harmonised with the development goals of New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) that can lead to the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. This is particularly important in
the development of strong operational partnerships between the IAEA and other
international agencies and financial institutions.

With the anticipated growth and expansion of atomic power globally there is
a need to strengthen the regulatory approaches in respect of nuclear,
radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety and to ensure the safe
utilisation of this energy source. South Africa therefore strongly supports the
IAEA safety fundamentals, which can facilitate the establishment of an
effective legal and governmental framework for safety in all nuclear
activities, and also serve as reference in international efforts to harmonize
legislation and regulations in individual countries.

In this context, it is also important to continue discussions between
coastal and shipping states that will contribute to an improved mutual
understanding and the building of confidence, thereby facilitating
communication in respect of the safe maritime transport of radioactive
material.

Chairperson,

South Africa supports new measures to strengthen the safeguards system, as
this system needs to be adapted to changing circumstances. We strongly believe
that those states in possession of advanced technologies that can be used for
both peaceful and non-peaceful purposes bear a special responsibility to build
confidence and to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of their nuclear
programmes. For my delegation, the Additional Protocol remains an important
instrument to build confidence and to provide assurances regarding the
continued peaceful application of nuclear energy. We therefore call on these
countries to conclude an Additional Protocol with the IAEA as soon as
possible.

At the same time, South Africa remains concerned that some
non-nuclear-weapon states still do not have Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements
(CSAs) in force, as is required by Article III of the NPT and thus no
safeguards conclusion is possible.

Chairperson,

My delegation remains concerned about the illicit clandestine nuclear
networks which poses a serious threat to the NPT. It is imperative that all
countries that have been affected by the network closely co-operate to
eliminate this threat. Our own experiences with the illicit network for the
transfer of and trade in nuclear material, equipment and technology have
clearly shown that States need to provide their pro-active and full support to
the Agency in its verification obligation.

In conclusion, Chairperson,

South Africa looks forward with optimism to the 2010 Review conference. The
review cycle and the Review conference itself provide us with a unique
opportunity to deal with all issues that impact upon the NPT. We should guard
against adopting decisions on such issues in other fora, as this will surely
undermine the NPT.

We therefore recommit ourselves to work constructively for a positive
outcome to this Review Process that would address all provisions of the NPT in
a balanced manner. If we are to preserve this instrument, let us not further
disturb the delicate balance established in 1995, when we agreed to extend this
Treaty indefinitely. We remain convinced that any exclusive focus on some
preferred aspects of the Treaty do not serve our collective interests. Let us
be reminded that the 1995 package of decisions was based on a reaffirmation of
our rights and obligations under the Treaty as it concerns all three of its
equally important pillars.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 May 2007