NAM Backs Iran Against IAEA Chief's Selective Report

Tehran, Nov 19, IRNA – The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in a statement circulated on November 18, 2011 expressed its deep dissatisfaction and concern over 'selective release' of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano report. The Non-Aligned Movement in its statement emphasized talks and diplomacy as the only long-term solution for Iran's nuclear issue. The full text of the statement comes as follow: Mr. Chairperson, 1-The Vienna Chapter of the Non-Aligned Movement wishes to thank the Director General, Mr. Yukiya Amano, for his report on the Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran as contained in document GOVl2011/65. 2-At the same time, NAM wishes to reaffirm the importance of Director General reports being issued in a timely manner. The late issuance of reports results in Member States having to prepare for meetings of the Board of Governors under significant time constraints. 3. Before expressing its comments on the Director General's Report, NAM would like to reiterate its principled positions on the matter: a. NAM reaffirms the basic and inalienable right of all states to the development, research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination and in conformity with their respective legal obligations. Therefore, nothing should be interpreted in a way as inhibiting or restricting the right of states to develop atomic energy for peaceful purposes. States' choices and decisions, including those of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and its fuel cycle policies must be respected. b. NAM recognizes the IAEA as the sole competent authority for verification of the respective safeguards obligations of Member States and stresses that there should be no undue pressure or interference in the Agency's activities, specially its verification process, which would jeopardize the efficiency and credibility of the Agency. c. NAM emphasizes the fundamental distinction between the legal obligations of states in accordance with their respective safeguards agreements, as opposed to any confidence building measures undertaken voluntarily and that do not constitute a legal safeguards obligation. d. NAM considers the establishment of a nuclear- weapons-free-zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East as a positive step towards attaining the objective of global nuclear disarmament and reiterates its support for the establishment of such a zone in accordance with relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. e. NAM reaffirms the inviolability of peaceful nuclear activities./end