FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION INVITING I"A AND THE WHO TO CONSIDER ROLE OF SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION
Press Release
GA/SPD/112
FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION INVITING IAEA AND THE WHO TO CONSIDER ROLE OF SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC RADIATION
19971017 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) would be invited to consider the functions and role of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and to submit a recommendation to the General Assembly at its next session, according to a draft resolution approved this morning by the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).The draft was approved without a vote as orally revised, as the Fourth Committee concluded its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation. By its terms, the Scientific Committee would also be asked to submit its annual report to the IAEA and the WHO, as well as to the Assembly. The Assembly would then consider that report, along with any IAEA and WHO evaluations of it.
Cooperation between the Scientific Committee, the IAEA and the WHO had been urged by the High-level Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System in an annex to Assembly resolution 51/241 of 31 July. The current provision represented a new addition to the Fourth Committee's draft text on the effects of atomic radiation.
By the terms of the draft, the Assembly would ask the Scientific Committee to continue its review of important problems in the field of radiation and to report to its next session. The Assembly would also invite Member States, United Nations bodies and non-governmental organizations to provide the Scientific Committee with data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, for its work.
Also this morning, Fayssal Mekdad (Syria), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on decolonization, reported on a meeting between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the co-sponsors of a draft resolution objecting to the transfer of the decolonization unit from the Department of Political Affairs to the Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services. He said they had rejected a proposal by the Secretary-General that they consider a one-year trial of what he described as a purely administrative change, expressing their concern that the transfer would send the wrong signal to peoples of the Non- Self-Governing Territories.
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Statements on the effects of atomic radiation were made by the representatives of Uruguay (for the Common Market of the Southern Cone), Thailand (for the Association of South-East Asian Nations), Mongolia, Peru, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Slovakia, China, Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Libya. The representatives of Pakistan, China and Brazil spoke in explanation of position. The representative of Germany introduced the oral revision.
The Fourth Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Monday, 27 October, to begin its consideration of the situation in the occupied territories of Croatia, and to take action on all draft proposals on decolonization issues.
Committee Work Programme
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to conclude its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation. It had before it a draft resolution (document A/C.4/52/L.2), by which the General Assembly would commend the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for its valuable contribution to understanding of the levels, effects and risks of atomic radiation and ask it to continue that work. It would also invite Member States, United Nations bodies and non- governmental organizations to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of atomic radiation in affected areas.
By the terms of the text, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) would be asked to continue providing support for the Scientific Committee's work. In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) would be invited to consider the Committee's function and role, submitting a recommendation to the Assembly at its next session. The Scientific Committee would be asked, in the meanwhile, to submit its report to the IAEA and the WHO, as well as to the General Assembly.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, 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.
Statements
JULIO BENITEZ SAENZ (Uruguay), speaking on behalf of the Common Market of the Southern Cone (MERCOSUR), said that concern about the environment had increased in recent years and the Scientific Committee had recently considered including the study of environmental pollution in its work. The Committee's work represented a valuable contribution to the international scientific community. In the interest of better assessing that work, it was being proposed that the Committee submit its report to the (IAEA) and the (WHO). That proposal should be implemented as soon as possible.
CHARIVAT SANTAPUTRA (Thailand), speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the increased usage of atomic energy brought with it new perils. Thus, there was a vital need for continuing study, up-to-date information and revised safety measures. The information and knowledge provided by the Scientific Committee should be translated into concrete measures to effectively prevent or minimize the risks posed by radiation, as well as to assist those who were already affected by such radiation.
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Nuclear technology and its applications for peaceful purposes, if properly conducted, could be useful to mankind, he said. There should be greater transfer of and unimpeded access to nuclear technology. The most effective way to diminish the potential ill-effects of atomic radiation was through non-discriminatory controls. The ASEAN urged strict adherence to the IAEA'S nuclear safety standards.
The problem of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials posed a great risk and had become a serious threat, he said. Irresponsible dumping of nuclear waste and materials in the high seas should be stopped. The ASEAN called upon all nuclear-weapon States to accede to the relevant protocol of the South-East Asian nuclear-weapons-free zone treaty, which had been in force since 27 March.
RAVJAA MOUNKHOU (Mongolia) expressed appreciation for the work of the Scientific Committee. Its ongoing assessment of worldwide radiation exposures, representing the state of knowledge at the end of the millennium, would be followed with interest. The Committee had helped to raise international safety standards. Nevertheless, it should review and re- evaluate its functions in order to better serve the international community. It was hoped that adoption of the current draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation would help the Scientific Committee in fulfilling its mission.
JUAN MIGUEL MIRANDA (Peru) said that Peru recognized and appreciated the competency of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Its expertise was particularly important in the developing countries, where access to technology was limited. While UNSCEAR was encouraged to continue its efforts, cooperation between it and other international organizations should be expanded. SYARGEI SYARGEEU (Belarus) said that last year was the tenth anniversary of the catastrophe at the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant, which had affected every fifth citizen of Belarus. More than two million inhabitants on one fourth of Belarus' territory had been exposed to radiation. According to modest estimates, the economic and material damage amounted to $235 billion. Over half a million children under 17 were living in contaminated areas, he went on to say. There had been an increase in cases of thyroid cancer in children and of breast cancer in women. According to medical practitioners, the dawn of the next century would see the citizens of Belarus exposed to a full-scale epidemic of cancer-related diseases. Belarus highly appreciated the work being done by the United Nations in initiating, discussing and coordinating activities relating to the solution of Chernobyl problems, he said. However, there was serious concern that, against the background of the current discussions on the closing of the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant, the problem of the medical and environmental consequences of the disaster were being pushed aside.
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He said that Belarus was interested in elaborating new international safety standards for radiation protection. Having entered the second post- Chernobyl decade, his delegation had proposed the convening in 1998 of an international scientific conference under the aegis of the Scientific Committee to work out a programme of international scientific research into the medical and environmental after-effects of the Chernobyl catastrophe. AKMARAL Kh. ARYSTANBEKOVA (Kazakhstan) said her country was exerting enormous efforts to overcome the aftermath of nuclear-weapons testing in the former Soviet testing ground in the Semipalatinsk region. That testing ground had once been the largest in the world, at 18,500 square kilometres. Approximately 70 per cent of all Soviet nuclear-weapons tests had been conducted there, causing enormous damage to health and to the natural environment of Kazakhstan. It was impossible today to give an impartial assessment of that damage. The international community did not know the nature or scope of the ecological disaster in Semipalatinsk. According to statistics, some 1.2 million people were exposed to ionized radiation in that region -- 500,000 in Semipalatinsk alone. The nuclear testing ground at Semipalatinsk was shut down in 1991, she said. A law on rehabilitation of the population's victims had been adopted. Unfortunately, the consequences of nuclear tests were deep-rooted and time was not able to heal the wounds. Presently, Kazakhstan did not possess the necessary medical, material and financial means to resolve the problem. It could not, acting alone, compensate for the damage caused to the population and environment. Nuclear weapons represented a tragedy for the world, she said. That was why Kazakhstan had every reason to speak about the responsibility of the nuclear Powers for the damage caused to the population and environment of States where tests were conducted. Nuclear Powers should establish an international fund to rehabilitate the health of the population and environment of regions affected by nuclear-weapons tests. "The international community should come to the rescue", she said. VICTOR SEMENENKO (Ukraine) said that for his country, the problem of nuclear radiation was not just an abstract theory. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident of 1986 had become a real national tragedy, the acuteness of which had not diminished. The state of health of the many Ukrainians affected by the accident aroused particular concern. Some experts had concluded that Ukraine was approaching a period of sharp increase in the rate of diseases relating to the fall-out from Chernobyl.
The problem was unprecedented in scale and could not be handled by Ukraine alone, he said. It was hoped that the donor conference of the "Group of Seven" industrialized countries, to be held in New York on 20 November, would address that and other related problems. They should also be addressed by the United Nations inter-agency needs assessment mission to the affected regions.
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TOMAS HRBAC (Slovakia) said that Slovak experts had been participating in the Scientific Committee's work within the former Czechoslovak delegation since the Committee's establishment in 1955. Slovakia had an active programme of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including extensive application of radioisotopes in industry and medicine, and had contributed to the Committee's work through the provision of relevant data.
The Scientific Committee's reports provided a basis for the formulation of national and international standards for radiation protection, both by scientific institutions and by State authorities responsible for nuclear control and inspection, he said. Those reports rendered an invaluable service, particularly to small and developing countries. The highly scientific status of the Committee was its chief asset; any steps which might weaken the impartiality of such an important activity as the study of the effects of atomic radiation should be carefully considered.
HU ZHAOMING (China) said his Government attached great importance to the activities of the Scientific Committee. Its studies by UNSCEAR on such topics as exposure from all forms of man-made sources of radiation, dose assessment methodologies, and epidemiological evaluations of radiation-induced cancer bore directly on the living condition of both present and future generations.
The Scientific Committee was in the process of preparing an extensive assessment of information on radiation exposures worldwide, as well as a comprehensive review of the biological effects of radiation. That work, which was highly appreciated, would represent the latest knowledge on the sources and effects of ionizing radiation and would provide a scientific basis for judgement by Member States in the formulation of their policies relating to the development of nuclear technology.
MYUNG CHUL HAHM (Republic of Korea) said the threat of harmful radiation continued to rise. He cited the increasing use of nuclear plants and nuclear- related technologies, illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, the abandonment and dumping at sea of old nuclear submarines, and the unsafe disposal of radioactive wastes and substances.
The Republic of Korea welcomed the cooperation between the Scientific Committee and other specialized United Nation bodies, such as the IAEA and WHO, he said. Such cooperation was essential to establishing strong global safeguards against atomic radiation and should continue. His country attached great importance to ensuring safety in its nuclear-related activities. It looked forward to the early completion of the Committee's extensive assessment of worldwide levels of radiation exposure, as well as its comprehensive review of the biological effects of radiation.
FAROOQ HASSAN (Pakistan) said the report of the Scientific Committee had highlighted a wide spectrum of areas for future study. Those included exposures from natural sources of radiation; exposures from man-made sources;
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dose assessment methodologies; and DNA repair and mutagenesis. The Committee should be encouraged to coordinate further research in those vital areas. Such international institutions as the IAEA and WHO had been of enormous help to the Committee; their continued cooperation should be encouraged.
While there was an important need to protect the planet from the harmful effects of radiation, that should not preclude the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, he said. It was the sovereign right of every State to obtain nuclear technology for peaceful uses. Such technology should not belong only to a few States. Deprivation gave rise to distrust.
JIMMY OVIA (Papua New Guinea) said that atomic radiation had affected a number of countries in their region, including the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, Kiribati and French Polynesia. There had been an ongoing call for the international community, and particularly France and the United States, to do more to help those countries. The effects of atomic radiation were very real and affected the daily lives of people in the region. The draft resolution before the Fourth Committee needed to be strengthened in order to take account of such concerns.
KHAIRI BOUNI (Libya) said that if the effects of atomic radiation were not controlled, there would be catastrophic consequences. The dangers of radioactive discharges from Israel's nuclear activities were a matter of concern. Strange diseases had resulted from those activities. Owing to the financial and technological support of the United States, there was a real threat of regional destruction.
The peaceful uses of nuclear energy were beneficial for scientific progress, he said. Such uses could foster prosperity and help meet the aspirations of humankind. Libya had benefited from the peaceful use of nuclear energy and therefore supported the work of the Scientific Committee.
Action on Draft Resolution
MACHIVENYIKA TOBIAS MAPURANGA (Zimbabwe), Committee Chairman, announced that Slovakia, Brazil, Indonesia and Kazakhstan had joined as sponsors of the draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation.
The representative of Pakistan said his country would not co-sponsor the draft because of its reservations concerning operative paragraph 9. [Note -- operating paragraph 9 invites the IAEA and the WHO to consider the role of the Scientific Committee and submit a resolution to the Assembly. It also requests that the Committee submit its report to those two bodies, as well as to the General Assembly.]
The representative of China inquired about repetitions in the text, particularly in the sixth preambular paragraph -- which concerned the strengthening of the United Nations system -- and in operative
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paragraph 9. The latter paragraph almost repeated paragraph 38 of the annex of General Assembly resolution 51/241, on the strengthening of the United Nations system. Why had the last sentence of paragraph 38 been omitted from the draft? In order to improve the draft, could operative paragraph 9 be deleted? Alternatively, could the last sentence of paragraph 38 be included in operative paragraph 9?
The representative of Brazil said his delegation was pleased to co- sponsor the draft resolution. Operative paragraph 9 of the draft repeated language in Assembly resolution 51/241. Its purpose was to enhance the Fourth Committee's technical capability to assess the work of the Scientific Committee.
The representative of Germany drew attention to Member States' concerns about the limitations of the Scientific Committee, which had a very small staff in Geneva. Operative paragraph 7 introduced a new element to the draft, by which the Scientific Committee could be provided new information by Member States. The Scientific Committee could not send out research teams and so relied on the information it received.
A second concern related to a decision taken by the Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System, which was reflected twice in the draft resolution, he said. Some countries, such as China and Pakistan, felt that one mention was sufficient, while others considered an additional mention to be necessary. Operative paragraph 9 of the draft reflected a compromise.
He said that China's suggestion that the last sentence from paragraph 38 of the annex to resolution 51/241 be added to the end of operative paragraph 9 of the draft was appropriate, and suggested a formulation. He said the sentence, "It will discuss the report along with any International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organization (WHO) evaluation of the report" could be added to the end of operative paragraph 9.
The representative of China said his delegation appreciated the proposal by Germany to amend operative paragraph 9. China would join in supporting the draft.
The representative of Pakistan said that it was satisfied by the explanations given by the representatives of Germany and Brazil. Especially welcome was the understanding that the Scientific Committee's mandate would not be weakened. Nevertheless, his delegation remained uncertain, based on what had been said, about what the final role and functions of the Scientific Committee would be. Therefore, it would not cosponsor the draft, but would support it.
The resolution, as orally revised, was approved without a vote.
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Transfer of Decolonization Unit
FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on decolonization, spoke on behalf of Chairman Utula Utuoc Samana (Papua New Guinea). He said the co-sponsors of the draft resolution relating to the transfer of the decolonization unit had met with Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, 15 October. During their meeting, the Secretary-General had emphasized that his proposal to transfer the unit out of the Department of Political Affairs had been of an administrative nature, and that the Special Committee would receive the same services.
He said that Mr. Samana had then confirmed the position of the co- sponsors, that the draft resolution had nothing to do with the Secretary- General's reforms. Rather, it was simply necessary to confirm that the mandate of the Special Committee was political. While the Secretary-General's efforts in support of the Special Committee were appreciated, transferring the unit would send the wrong signal to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. The momentum of the Special Committee must be maintained so that its job could be concluded with dignity. Mr. Samana had therefore requested that the Secretary-General reverse his decision.
He went on to say that the co-sponsors had then taken the floor to confirm their support for Mr. Samana's position. The Ambassador of Portugal suggested that the transfer be postponed until the year 2000. The Secretary General then asked for a one-year trial of his proposal, stating that if the co-sponsors were not satisfied after one year, the decision would be reversed. The co-sponsors, meeting the following day, decided to insist that the unit be kept in the Department of Political Affairs, and a letter to that effect was sent to the Secretary- General.
Mr. HU (China) asked if a written account of the meeting with the Secretary-General could be provided.
Mr. MAPURANGA (Zimbabwe), Committee Chairman, said it would be up to the representative of Syria, in consultation with the co-sponsors, to decide whether that could be done. He said it was gratifying that the consultations between the Secretary-General and the co-sponsors were continuing and expressed the hope that the situation would be satisfactorily concluded.
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