UN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION SHOULD CONDUCT STUDIES AIMED AT ASSISTING AFFECTED POPULATIONS, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD

13 October 1997

Press Release
GA/SPD/111

UN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION SHOULD CONDUCT STUDIES AIMED AT ASSISTING AFFECTED POPULATIONS, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD

19971013 Also, Fourth Committee Concludes General Debate on Decolonization

The representative of the Marshall Islands this afternoon said that the work of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation should be extended to include studies to assist populations like his own which were suffering from the effects of such radiation. He was addressing the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), as it began its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation.

The Marshall Islands had been the site of 67 nuclear-weapon tests during a 12-year test programme when it was under the United Nations Trusteeship of the Pacific Islands, he told the Committee. His Government was more than willing to help the Scientific Committee in obtaining declassified documents should it undertake the work he was recommending.

Earlier, in the context of the Fourth Committee's general debate on decolonization matters, which concluded today, he said his country was still suffering form the effects of lingering environmental contamination, elevated disease and mortality rates, displacement of populations and dependency on foreign supplies. He also expressed deep concern for French Polynesia, which had suffered a similar fate and should be added to the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, he said.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of France said the people of French Polynesia had repeatedly made it clear that they belonged to the French Republic and did not wish to change that status. French Polynesia was an integral part of the French Republic and its inhabitants were full French citizens, he said.

Also this afternoon, Committee Chairman Machivenyika Tobias Mapuranga (Zimbabwe) announced that, as a result of his informal consultations with Morocco and Algeria and of talks between the two States, they had reached agreement on a draft resolution on the question of Western Sahara. The text would be circulated for the Committee's consideration.

* Press Release GA/SPD/110 of 10 October was the 6th meeting.

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Statements on decolonization were also made by the representatives of Bahrain, Iran, the United Republic of Tanzania, Morocco, Ethiopia, Colombia and Zimbabwe. Statements on the effects of atomic radiation were also made by the representatives of Luxembourg (for the European Union, Cyprus and Poland), India and Brazil. The representative of Germany introduced the Scientific Committee's annual report and a related draft resolution.

At the outset of today's meeting, the Chairman expressed the Committee's sympathy to the victims of recent floods in Mexico. The representative of Mexico expressed his appreciation.

The Fourth Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, 17 October, to continue its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation.

Committee Work Programme

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to conclude its general debate on decolonization issues and to begin its considerations of the effects of atomic radiation. It had before it a report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (document A/52/46), which considers recent information on the sources of radiation, exposures and their effects.

During its 1997 session, the Scientific Committee reviewed documents on such topics as exposure from natural sources of radiation, medical radiation exposure, occupational radiation exposure, and dose assessment methodologies. It is also preparing an extensive assessment of information on radiation exposure worldwide and a comprehensive review of the biological effects of radiation. According to its report, the Scientific Committee intends to direct its attention to investigations of the mechanisms of radiation interactions, the response of cells to radiation, and to the uncertainties in relating specific exposures and effects, especially at low levels of exposure. The Committee expresses its hope that Member States and the specialized agencies of the United Nations will continue to provide assistance for that work.

Statements on Decolonization

FAISAL ALZAYANI (Bahrain) said the United Nations, and in particular the Special Committee on decolonization, had contributed to the process of decolonization. The Declaration on decolonization pointed attention to peoples' desire for self-rule. Lack of independence limited the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and inhibited international trade with those Territories. The Declaration on decolonization inspired the Organization's efforts to eliminate colonialism, and subsequent resolutions continued to bring attention to that goal. Full implementation of the Declaration was the long-term aim of the Special Committee.

MEHDI YOUSEFI (Iran) said that while remarkable achievements had been made in the field of decolonization, colonialism had yet to be eradicated. There were still 17 Territories on the list of Non-Self Governing Territories. The Special Committee had played an essential role in the decolonization process and continued to do so, but the inflexibility of some administering Powers had hampered its efforts. It was necessary for those Powers to cooperate more fully with the Committee, particularly in facilitating the sending of visiting missions to the Territories in question.

M.T. BANDORA (United Republic of Tanzania) said that inflexible political attitudes and selfish economic interests had resulted in the failure of many attempts to facilitate the exercise of self-determination by the 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. As a result, the world would enter the new millennium with the remnants of colonialism. It was the United Nations responsibility to continue asserting that administering Powers must

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permit their Territories to proceed towards self-determination without hindrance. Fostering awareness of the peoples of their right to self- determination, in conformity with the political status options as defined in the decolonization Declaration, was therefore essential. The Administering Powers were obliged to provide information on the Territories.

He recommended the sending of visiting missions to the Territories concerned. As regional seminars had provided the only avenue through which the Special Committee had been able to directly receive information from the peoples of the Territories, as well as from other interested individuals and institutions on the conditions prevailing there, they should continue to be held.

He drew attention to the positive developments in Western Sahara. The major obstacles to resumption of the implementation of the long awaited settlement plan had been removed. The efforts of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, James A. Baker III, were to be commended. It was necessary, however, for the United Nations to maintain its vigilance to ensure that the referendum for self-determination could take place.

JACKEO A. RELANG (Marshall Islands) said that while his country commended the cooperation and support of its former administering Power, the lack of cooperation which the Special Committee was receiving from some Powers, was a matter of concern. The shared goal of decolonization was not possible without their full cooperation.

As a result of nuclear weapons tests conducted before it had achieved independence, the Marshall Islands were still suffering from the effects of lingering environmental contamination, elevated disease and mortality rates, displacement of populations, and dependency on foreign supplies, he said. Deep concern was expressed for French Polynesia which, in the absence of self- determination, had also experienced a similar fate. It was, therefore, necessary to consider the political status of French Polynesia; it should be added to the decolonization list.

AHMED SNOUSSI (Morocco) said Morocco had not placed any petitioners on this year's list, although it could have. That was because after the contacts undertaken by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, James Baker III, progress had been made on the question of Western Sahara. In listening to petitioners, Morocco heard the leftist voices which had come to find a forum where they could recite what they had learned. Nevertheless, Morocco was determined not to deviate from its values. Although petitioners were meant to enlighten Member States, they had come to rehearse the slogans of another time and another place. In that, they did the Committee a disservice. For example, they had failed to point out that the Houston talks considered the Spanish census of 1974 to be just one criterion for the proposed referendum for self-determination in Western Sahara. Witness before the Committee had been partial.

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In order to restart the settlement plan process, Morocco had undertaken negotiations with one part of the Sahrawi population, he said. Goodwill had permeated the talks led by Mr. Baker, who had created certainty that the rules of the settlement plan would not change. Other parts of the plan would also be respected. However, while Morocco respected the work of the Committee, it understood that the issue was in fact within the realm of the Security Council. It was hoped that compromise would be reached on a draft resolution before the Committee.

TAYE TESFAYE (Ethiopia) welcomed the progress made by the Special Committee on decolonization. Nevertheless, there were still 17 Non-Self- Governing Territories who looked to the United Nations for their freedom. Cooperation by the administering Powers in transmitting timely and adequate information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories was necessary. The decision to transfer the decolonization unit from the Department of Political Affairs must be reevaluated.

ALVARO FORERO (Colombia) said that despite significant achievements in decolonization, it was not a time for the United Nations to rest on its laurels. On the contrary, decolonization should remain a priority. As long as there were Non-Self-Governing Territories, there was a strong need for United Nations support. The Special Committee should have all necessary cooperation to fulfill its mandate. Colombia, therefore, questioned the decision to transfer the decolonization unit from the Department of Political Affairs.

JEPISI CHEKENYERE (Zimbabwe) said that at the eve of the twenty-first century, there were still 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. Zimbabwe, which had won its independence, was a firm supporter of the rights of these Territories to self-determination. There was a renewed sense of expectation that positive results in Western Sahara would be achieved. Zimbabwe agreed that the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) should proceed with implementation of the settlement plan, starting with the identification of voters. The two parties -- Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguía el-Hamra and Río de Oro (POLISARIO) -- were urged to honor the agreements reached in Lisbon, London and Houston.

Right of Reply

THIERRY TERRIER (France), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, objected to remarks made by the representative of the Marshall Islands regarding French Polynesia. Its people had repeatedly made it clear that they belonged to the French Republic and did not wish to change that status. French Polynesia was an integral part of the French Republic, and its inhabitants were full French citizens.

Mr. MAPURANGA (Zimbabwe), Committee Chairman, said that as a result of informal consultations he had undertaken with Morocco and Algeria, and of talks between those two States, agreement had been reached on a dreaft

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resolution on the question of Western Sahara. The text would be circulated.

Effects of Atomic Radiation

CORD H. MEIER-KLODT (Germany), introducing the report of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, said that body had been established to review published scientific reports and technical documents so as to evaluate regional and global radiation exposures and to assess the risks of harmful effects. In addition to collecting such recent data on radiation doses worldwide, the Committee sought to examine existing data to assess the risks of radiation-induced cancer, as well as of the hereditary effects of low doses and dose rates. In 1995, the Scientific Committee began a new programme of review of the sources, exposure and biological effects of ionizing radiation; a comprehensive report with detailed scientific annexes would be published in the year 2000.

He then introduced a draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/C.4/52/L.2), by which the General Assembly would ask the Scientific Committee to continue its work to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources, and report on the matter to the Assembly at its next session. The Assembly would ask that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) continue to provide support for the Committee's work and for the dissemination of its findings to the Assembly, the scientific community and the public. By other 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 of various sources of radiation, which would greatly help the Committee in the preparation of future reports. It would invite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to consider the functions and role of the Committee and to submit a relevant recommendation to the Assembly at its next session. It would ask the Scientific Committee to submit its report to the IAEA and the WHO.

The 30-power draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Relang (Marshall Islands) said that between 1946 and 1957, the Marshall Islands was the site of 67 nuclear weapon tests conducted by the Administering Authority during the period of the United Nations Trusteeship of the Pacific Islands. That 12-year test programme took place without the Marshallese people knowing the true extent of the personal injuries or the environmental damage caused by the blasts. Current declassified information had shown that the effects and damage were alarming and more extensive than previously thought, with many more islands having been exposed to radiation.

The Marshallese people had played a significant role in bringing about

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the end of the cold war, he said. The Marshall Islands and the people of the Pacific had paid a disproportionate burden for the reduced threat of nuclear war. Thus, the Marshall Islands was more than justified in bringing forward its concerns about the effects of atomic radiation.

The scope of the Scientific Committee's work must be extended as it might undertake studies that could assist those populations which were suffering from the effects of atomic radiation, he said. The Marshall Islands was more than willing to assist the Scientific Committee in obtaining declassified documents. His delegation would carefully consider each recommendation in the draft resolution introduced by the representative of Germany and see whether any proposed changes would represent an improvement of the current situation.

YURIKO BACKES (Luxembourg), speaking on behalf of the European Union, Cyprus and Poland, said that the concerns addressed by the Scientific Committee remained as pressing as ever. Chernobyl had not been forgotten. The use of nuclear energy could cause catastrophe, and all precautions should continue to be taken. The Scientific Committee's reports had served as a yardstick for assessing the effects of radiation, she said. The European Union was waiting for its extensive assessment of information on radiation exposures worldwide, as well as its comprehensive review of the biological effects of radiation, representing the state of knowledge by the end of the millennium.

M.A. BABY (India) said the application of atomic energy in medicine, industry and agriculture was becoming increasingly vital for improving the standard of living in developing countries. In that context, the work of the Scientific Committee was extremely important. Its reports were used as reference documents by scientists worldwide and served as a basis for international and national standards for radiation protection. In its continuing efforts to update available data, it had brought into discussion newly emerging concepts, such as radio-adaptive response following exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. It was hoped that it would devote more attention to low dose radiobiology.

Epidemiological studies of populations living in high-level natural radiation areas would be useful for radiation risk estimations, he said. In the Indian region of Kerala, high levels of natural radiation had been noted; however, no discernable adverse health effects were evident. Further study was necessary. He said the Indian nuclear programme had made safety a priority and an important research area. Since the inception of the programme, systems had been continuously monitored and updated.

JOSE EDUARDO MARTINS FELICIO (Brazil) said it was time to review the work of the Scientific Committee and give it new direction. In the 40 years since it was established to assess the effects of atomic radiation, the uses of nuclear energy had been expanded. Further, many Member States lacked the technical ability to assess its reports.

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JIMMY OVIA (Papua New Guinea) said that Venezuela, South Africa and Algeria had added their names to the list of countries supporting the draft resolution concerning the transfer of the decolonization unit (document A/C.4/52/L.4).

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