NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES" POSITION ON TOTAL ABOLITION OF ATOMIC ARMS CALLED `UNACCEPTABLE POSTURING" BY INDONESIA

Press Release
GA/SPD/174

NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES’ POSITION ON TOTAL ABOLITION OF ATOMIC ARMS CALLED `UNACCEPTABLE POSTURING’ BY INDONESIA

Opening Debate on Atomic Radiation Effects, Committee Studies Scientific Committee Report, Related Draft

It was regrettable that spending for destructive capabilities far outweighed investment in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) was told this afternoon as it began its general debate on the effects of atomic radiation.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the representative of Indonesia said that notwithstanding the indiscriminate and destructive nature of nuclear weapons, the nuclear-weapon States had adamantly refused to embark upon a phased approach for the total abolition of nuclear armaments. That posturing was unacceptable. Any use of nuclear technology called for the strict observance of safety standards, whose significance was all the more heightened by the occurrence of accidents in recent years. The ASEAN called for specific guidelines for the transportation of nuclear materials and wastes, as well as transparency regarding such shipments.

Referring to the 30 September accident at a uranium conversion plant in Tokai-mura, Japan’s representative said his country had been providing detailed information to the international community, including the relevant international organizations. It had been the first such accident to occur in Japan and the Government was grateful for the concern demonstrated by States and intergovernmental organizations in its wake.

The representative of Kazakhstan said his country was making tremendous efforts to overcome the negative effects of atomic radiation, to which it had been exposed as a result of nuclear testing in the Semipalatinsk region. As the first step in that direction, Kazakhstan had closed that site. In September, an international conference on the former atomic test site had taken place in Tokyo.

Speaking in support of the work of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), Finland’s representative, on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that the Committee had

Fourth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SPD/174 20th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1999

become an indisputable authority in its field. National and international standards for protection against radiation’s harmful effects had been established on the basis of its publications.

The representative of Sweden introduced the Scientific Committee’s report, and a related draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation.

The representative of China also spoke in today’s general debate.

The Fourth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday 11 November, to conclude its consideration of the effects of atomic radiation and to take action on the related draft resolution.

Committee Work Programme

As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on the effects of atomic radiation this afternoon, it was expected to consider the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee (document A/54/46).

Describing the Committee's forty-eighth session in Vienna from 12 to 16 April 1999, the report states the Committee's awareness of widespread concern about radiation exposures; and the possible health consequences of such earlier practices as nuclear testing or events like the Chernobyl nuclear accident. It notes that everyone is exposed to radiation from natural background sources and that, when that is understood, useful perspective is gained in viewing exposures to man-made sources.

The report says that despite the dominance of exposures to natural radiation in the average worldwide individual doses, the exposures can be much higher for certain individuals under particular medical treatments or those living in regions surrounding nuclear test sites, or contaminated by nuclear wastes or accidents. The Scientific Committee addresses all issues of concern regarding radiation hazards, in order to promote understanding and provide guidance concerning the response to the perceived and actual risks of radiation.

According to the report, the Committee considered recent information on radiation sources, exposures and their effects. It selected the most important topics and reviewed documents prepared by the Secretariat. Among the topics were: exposures from natural radiation sources; exposures from man-made sources of radiation; medical radiation exposures; occupational radiation exposures; and dose assessment methodologies.

Other topics, the report says, included: epidemiological evaluation of radiation-induced cancer; DNA repair and mutagenesis; hereditary effects of radiation; combined effects of radiation and other agents; biological effects at low radiation doses -- models, mechanisms and uncertainties; and exposures and effects of the Chernobyl accident. The Committee made suggestions for the further development of those topics, in particular pointing out new and additional information to be considered.

The Committee expects to complete its current assessments and publish its findings in the year 2000. That report will be a comprehensive review of radiation issues, including the exposures received worldwide from natural background radiation and the additional exposures caused by man-made radiation sources. Further results will be presented from epidemiological studies of radiation effects. The risk estimates for hereditary effects are being re-evaluated, and the mechanistic understanding of radiation responses will be presented. The report should be widely relevant to all issues of radiation sources and effects.

Introduction of Report

SARA UDDENBERG (Sweden) introducing the report before the Committee and the draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation, contained in document A/C.4/54/L.20, said that for the last 43 years the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) had made an important contribution to the quest for a safe radiation environment. Its estimates continued to be used by major international bodies and agencies. The Committee was mandated to review published scientific reports and technical documents with the aim of evaluating regional and global exposures to radiation.

In 1995, UNSCEAR had begun a new programme of review of the sources, exposures and biological effects of ionizing radiation, she continued. A comprehensive report of the Committee would be published in the year 2000. Endorsement of the Committee’s work by the General Assembly meant that it attached high value to the activities of the Scientific Committee. Last year’s decision to maintain the Committee’s present functions and its role was reaffirmed in this year’s draft resolution. She added that Indonesia and Belarus had joined the co-sponsors of the draft.

JUKKA PIETIKAINEN (Finland), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that UNSCEAR had become the primary international scientific body to review and assess the health risks of ionizing radiation. In many instances, the reports and publications of UNSCEAR had served as a basis for setting up national and international standards for the protection of the population against harmful effects of radiation.

Today, UNSCEAR stood out as an indisputable authority in its field, he continued. It strictly adhered to scientific fact and acted independently of outside influences. The General Assembly had expressed its appreciation of the work of the Committee when it adopted resolution 53/44, by whose terms it decided to maintain the present functions and the role of the Committee unchanged.

The relevant authorities of the European Union were looking forward to the Scientific Committee completing its current assessments and publishing its findings in the year 2000, he said. He also expressed the Union’s appreciation for the cooperation between UNSCEAR and other organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. He trusted that the Scientific Committee would continue to execute its mandate with the same rigor as in the past.

DONG GUILAN (China) said that her country followed a unified policy for environment and development. The Scientific Committee’s publications on the effects of ionizing radiation and related issues had increased China’s understanding of those subjects and promoted research and protection work in that area. The Committee’s study on the assessment criteria and methods of inspection for optimized application of radiation protection in nuclear plants had been incorporated in China’s national programme of key technologies and research and development projects.

She expressed the hope that, while furthering study on the effects of atomic radiation in range and quality, the Committee would provide necessary information on atomic radiation to Member States. That would give impetus to the study of and protection against atomic radiation in those countries, with a view to making full use of science and technology achievements to protect the environment and people’s health. China also hoped that the United Nations and specialized agencies would effectively support the Committee’s work.

RHOUSDY SOERIAATMADJA (Indonesia), speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that the question of peaceful uses of nuclear energy was of particular importance to the developing countries, whose power sources were limited. The increasing expense of fossil fuels had led to the recognition of civilian uses of nuclear energy as an alternative energy source. Hence, atomic energy would be useful in promoting the socio-economic development of the peoples of developing countries.

He expressed regret that spending for destructive capabilities far outweighed investment in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It was incumbent upon the developed nations to extend all possible assistance, including the transfer of technology, to developing countries so that atomic energy could be harnessed for the betterment of their peoples.

Any use of nuclear technology called for the strict observance of safety standards, he said. One of the persistent problems in that regard had been the management of sources that emitted atomic radiation. Their significance was all the more heightened by the recent occurrence of accidents. The ASEAN called for information-sharing on deficiencies in the operation of nuclear power plants and the implementation of measures to ensure safety, the identification of problems with regard to safety features, and a continuing review of those features and practices.

He called for the maintenance of high levels of nuclear safety and the observance of specific guidelines, including guidelines for potentially affected States in the transport of nuclear materials and wastes. He also urged transparency on the part of shipping States regarding information about shipments of those materials and wastes.

Notwithstanding the indiscriminate and destructive nature of nuclear weapons, he said, the nuclear-weapon States had adamantly refused to embark upon a phased approach for the total abolition of nuclear armaments. That posturing was unacceptable. The ASEAN supported all efforts aimed at the total elimination of nuclear weapons in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

MOTOHIDE YOSHIKAWA (Japan) said the 30 September accident that occurred at a uranium conversion plant in Tokai-mura, Japan, was highly relevant to the Scientific Committee’s work. It had been the first criticality accident to occur in Japan, and the Government was grateful for the concern demonstrated by States and intergovernmental organizations in its wake. Japan had been providing detailed information concerning that accident to the international community, including the relevant international organizations.

He said that the radiation outside the facility had been normal since the end of the criticality and after the shielding had been employed. Agricultural products and livestock as well as the environment, including air and water in the area, had been declared completely safe. By the end of the year, the Accident Investigations Committee established by Japan’s Nuclear Safety Commission was expected to submit its final report on the investigation into the cause of the accident and on measures to prevent a recurrence. Based on the conclusion of that investigation, Japan would take every necessary measure to secure confidence in the safety of the nuclear cycle as a whole, and continue to provide relevant information to international organizations and Member States as it became available.

MURAT A. SMAGULOV (Kazakhstan) said that his country was experiencing the negative effects of atomic radiation, because for almost 50 years it had had atomic weapons in its territory. It had also been the scene of nuclear testing in Semipalatinsk. Atomic radiation had had a negative effect on the health of the population and on the ecological situation in the country. Kazakhstan was making tremendous efforts to overcome the consequences of the testing. As a first step in that direction, it had closed the atomic testing site.

The NPT and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) were a natural choice for his country, he continued. On 5 August, his country had also become a full-fledged member of the Conference on Disarmament.

The General Assembly’s adoption of the two resolutions on the Semipalatinsk region was testimony of the international support for his country’s efforts to overcome the consequences of nuclear testing. Kazakhstan had inherited serious social, ecological and humanitarian problems from the past. He was grateful to the international community for its support in overcoming those problems.

In September, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had convened an international conference on the former Semipalatinsk atomic test site in Tokyo, he said. In connection with the resolutions adopted by the Tokyo Conference and by the General Assembly, he appealed to donor countries to provide the necessary assistance for the rehabilitation of the region. He also expressed support for the work of the Scientific Committee.

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