I"A DIRECTOR GENERAL INFORMS SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF STATUS OF VERIFICATION ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ
Press Release
IAEA/1322
IK/250
IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL INFORMS SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF STATUS OF VERIFICATION ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ
19980812 VIENNA, 11 August (IAEA) -- The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, has addressed a letter, dated 11 August 1998, to the President of the Security Council confirming that the IAEA is carrying out a limited implementation of its ongoing monitoring and verification (OMV) plan, within the restrictions imposed by Iraq, and is awaiting instructions from the Council on how to proceed further.The letter draws the attention of the Council to the fact that the effectiveness of the implementation of the IAEA OMV plan is critically dependent upon the full exercise of the rights of access enshrined in the plan and that any diminution of, or interference with, those rights would greatly reduce the level of assurance provided through its implementation.
The Director General observes that Iraq's refusal to cooperate in any activity involving investigation of its clandestine nuclear programme makes it impossible for the IAEA to investigate, in the context of its OMV, the remaining questions and concerns relevant to that programme. He also observes that Iraq's withdrawal of cooperation makes it impossible for the IAEA to implement its right to investigate any other aspect of Iraq's clandestine nuclear programme and to destroy, remove, or render harmless any prohibited items that may be discovered through such investigations.
The letter records that the restrictions imposed by Iraq have resulted in the discontinuation of the implementation of a joint IAEA/UNSCOM programme of inspection of Iraqi sites which are judged to have capabilities suitable for conducting work on some aspect of weapons of mass destruction. This activity contributes considerably to the effectiveness of the OMV to detect attempts to conduct activities proscribed by Security Council resolutions.
The Director General advises the Council that the limited activities currently undertaken in Iraq by the IAEA, under the restrictions imposed by Iraq, fall far short of full implementation of the OMV plan and result in a significantly reduced level of assurance than would be provided through the full implementation of that plan.
* *** *