made a u-turn on nuclear stance
26 October 2007
In response to media queries regarding the suggestion by a correspondent of
a daily Johannesburg newspaper that South Africa has made a u-turn on nuclear
stance, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma wishes to put the
following on record:
"The suggestion that the government has made a u-turn on its nuclear stance
is not borne by any evidence, empirical data or facts but remains a figment of
the imagination of those who thus suggest, said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
"South Africa remains totally opposed to all weapons of mass destruction and
has called for their total elimination in all international forums. In this
regard and following the recent India-Brazil-South Africa Summit of Heads of
State and Government, the three leaders "emphasised their commitment to the
goal of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and expressed concern over
the lack of progress in the realisation of this goal" (IBSA Tshwane Declaration
2007).
It is also suggested that South Africa finessed this position now. However
this has been the traditional position of IBSA and is also reflected in the
IBSA 2006 Declaration.
Secondly, in so far as the suggestion that the three countries reserve their
right to manufacture their nuclear fuel in the future, the suggestion fails to
take into account the fact that India has for decade's manufactured nuclear
fuel whilst Brazil has already embarked on uranium enrichment.
"South Africa remains opposed to the view that the right to peaceful nuclear
technology should be a preserve of the rich and powerful to the exclusion of
the majority countries depriving the have-nots in perpetuity. The right to the
use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes is enshrined in
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and this right cannot be unilaterally abrogated
by anyone" continued Minister Dlamini Zuma.
In this context, the three leaders of IBSA reiterated "the importance of
ensuring that any multilateral decisions related to the nuclear fuel cycle do
not undermine the inalienable right of states to pursue nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes in conformity with their international legal obligations."
concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Enquires:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
26 October 2007
Sources: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
