GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD ASK SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION TO CONTINUE WORK, UNDER DRAFT APPROVED BY FOURTH COMMITTEE

22 October 1996

Press Release
GA/SPD/88

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD ASK SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION TO CONTINUE WORK, UNDER DRAFT APPROVED BY FOURTH COMMITTEE

19961022 Committee Also Recommends Deferral of Item On Occupied Territories of Croatia, at Croatia's Request

The General Assembly would ask the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to continue its work aimed at increasing knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, by the terms of a 34-Power draft resolution approved without a vote this afternoon by the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

By the terms of the text, the Assembly would invite Member States, the United Nations system and concerned non-governmental organizations to provide further data about doses, effects and risks for various sources of radiation. It would also ask the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to continue its support for the Scientific Committee's work.

Also this afternoon, the Committee, acting without a vote, approved a request by the representative of Croatia to defer its agenda item on the situation in the occupied territories of Croatia until the Assembly's next session.

Prior to adoption of today's draft resolution, statements were made on the effects of atomic radiation. Both Ukraine and Belarus called for continued international support to address the effects of the accident, 10 years ago, at the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant. Also speaking were the representatives of Brazil, (also for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay), Pakistan, Malaysia, Peru, Mongolia, Germany and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. The Secretary of the Fourth Committee spoke on the Scientific Committee's mandate and budgetary provisions.

The Fourth Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Monday, 28 October, to take action on a number of draft texts relating to decolonization.

Committee Work Programme

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to conclude its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation, and to take action on a related draft resolution. It was also expected to begin its consideration of the situation in the occupied territories of Croatia.

The Committee had before it a 29-Power draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/C.4/51/L.3/Rev.1), by which the General Assembly would ask the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to continue its work to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources and to continue reviewing important problems in the field of radiation.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would ask the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to continue providing support for the Scientific Committee's work and for the dissemination of its findings to the Assembly, the scientific community and the public. It would invite Member States, the United Nations system and concerned non-governmental organizations to provide further data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation.

The Assembly would express appreciation to Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and non- governmental organizations for their assistance to the Committee and ask them to increase that cooperation. It would also call on the Committee to ensure the widest possible dissemination to Member States of its latest scientific annex on the sources of ionizing radiation and its effects on man and his environment.

The revised draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Statements

VALERIY M. KYRYCHENKO (Ukraine) said that following the Chernobyl catastrophe, severe damage to organisms and the population had been observed. The effects of nuclear energy out of control had been endured mostly by Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation. The Chernobyl tragedy had changed the lives of millions in the region. The global nature of the disaster required adequate international attention and special assistance to overcome its consequences. It was hoped that the United Nations, international organizations and governmental bodies would continue to create conditions to enable Ukraine to reach its goals for the year 2000.

Fourth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SPD/88 7th Meeting (PM) 22 October 1996

He said Ukraine continued to work to minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, focusing on environmental rehabilitation and the implementation of social welfare programmes. However, it could not solve its large-scale problems alone. Some 200 tons of nuclear fuel and thousands of tons of radioactive waste remained stored in what he described as a sarcophagus in the Chernobyl zone. To transform that sarcophagus into an ecologically safe facility, such steps as stabilizing the construction of the reactor facility and removing radioactive fuel must be taken. Assistance from international bodies and financial institutions would be needed to help Ukraine in that effort.

CARLOS MOREIRA GARCIA (Brazil), speaking also on behalf of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, said those Governments greatly valued the work of the Scientific Committee. The information it gathered had served as a basis for international recommendations on radiological protection. Its substantive work on diverse topics had provided considerable technical input to countries suffering from the effects of atomic radiation. During discussion in the working group on strengthening of the United Nations, it had been suggested that the Scientific Committee should submit its report to the IAEA and the World Health Organization (WHO), for consideration by the Assembly during its review of the work of those bodies.

ZAFARULLAH TARAR (Pakistan) said the Scientific Committee's findings should be widely disseminated. The enormous risk posed to man and the environment by atomic radiation called for urgent action. Large stockpiles of nuclear weapons must be destroyed. Efforts to date had not been sufficient. While risk had been reduced, it continued to exist. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was not as comprehensive a ban on nuclear testing as had been desired. It was to be hoped that all nuclear-test sites would be closed, even if the Treaty did not enter into force because of the intransigent position of one country.

Technology for the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be made available to developing countries, he said. The IAEA had played an effective role in disseminating safety-related information. The provision of adequate safety equipment at all nuclear sites was of global importance. Universal and unimpeded access to such technology must be ensured.

SYARGEI SYARGEEU (Belarus) said the Chernobyl disaster had led to large- scale radioactive contamination of the environment, and causing economic and material damage. Millions of people had been affected, including one out of every five citizens of his country. Chernobyl was a long-term problem of unprecedented complexity that required international attention. The international community had lessons to learn from the experience, while Belarus needed its financial support and assistance.

Fourth Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/SPD/88 7th Meeting (PM) 22 October 1996

Chernobyl-affected countries had not been used in preparation of the Scientific Committee's recent assessments, he said. Belarus was ready to broaden its cooperation with the Scientific Committee. Information must be gathered from a greater number of sources. The Scientific Committee should identify effective means for rehabilitating contaminated regions.

The tendency to exclude discussions of the Scientific Committee's report from the General Assembly was a cause for serious concern, he said. Also of concern were attempts to reassign the Committee's functions to IAEA or the WHO which would be tantamount to its abolition. The Scientific Committee must be unbiased and independent; it should not be abolished.

LAU NGAN SIEW (Malaysia) said a more objective understanding of the risks of atomic radiation on humans and other life-forms -- derived, in part, from the work of the Scientific Committee -- had led to improved standards of radiation protection. However, the most effective way of diminishing the ill- effects of atomic radiation was the control and removal of their sources. The greatest risks were posed by unsafe nuclear power plants, the dumping of old nuclear submarines in the high seas, illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, nuclear testings, and the actual use of nuclear weapons. Global radioactive contamination remained a real danger. The continued dependence of nuclear- weapon States on their arsenals only encouraged non-nuclear-weapon States to acquire such weapons. International efforts toward their total elimination must be sustained.

While serious doubts remained about the viability of the CTBT, Malaysia hoped it would eventually secure universal support, he said. In the meantime, the current moratoriums on nuclear testing would be observed. Nuclear-weapon States must honour their commitment to work towards general and complete disarmament. Proposals had been made which could lead to the elimination of nuclear weapons, including a programme of action presented by 28 non-aligned and neutral countries. Such proposals should be considered seriously. Also, additional efforts were needed to curb the dumping of nuclear materials and illegal dealings in such materials.

JUAN MIGUEL MIRANDA (Peru) said his country attached great importance to the work of the Scientific Committee. In recent years, Peru had introduced the drafts on this item. This year, Peru was honoured to co-sponsor the draft introduced by Germany.

JARGALSAIKHANY ENKHASAIKHAN (Mongolia) said the work of the Scientific Committee should be more responsive to the specific needs of Member States in determining the harmful effects of atomic radiation. For example, it could assist in providing the methodology needed to determine radiation levels in affected areas.

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ABDUR RAZZAQUE KHAN, Committee Secretary, then briefed the Fourth Committee on the Scientific Committee's mandate and budgetary provisions. He said that, under General Assembly resolution 913 (1955), that body was mandated to address general concerns of Member States regarding the hazards of ionizing radiation. Initially, the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, the spread of radioactive fallout, and the implications for human health were primary concerns. It also evaluated other sources of exposure from the release of radioactive material in the environment. The Committee studied radiation doses and the effects of natural background radiation, medical radiation and occupational exposures. It also reviewed epidemiological and radiobiological studies.

The Scientific Committee had not been in a position to review the specific problems of Member States, he said. Its Secretariat operated under a minimal budget, with no provisions for special travel, research or investigative work. It comprised one Professional and two General Service staff members.

CORD MEIER-KLODT (Germany) said the revised draft now before the Committee was the result of a meeting between the co-sponsors and interested Member States. While several changes were made, it had been recognized that the Committee was not in a position to make broader recommendations in the draft which, to date, had been largely procedural. However, it was felt that additional thought should be given to the matter before the Assembly's next session.

ALOUNKEO KITTIKHOUN (Lao People's Democratic Republic), Committee Chairman, said that New Zealand, Philippines, Russian Federation, Japan and Mongolia had joined as co-sponsors of the draft resolution.

The draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation was then approved without a vote.

MARIO NOBILO (Croatia) then asked that the agenda item on the situation in the occupied territories of Croatia be deferred for consideration at the Assembly's next session. The Committee approved that recommendation without a vote.

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