FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING ROLE OF UN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON EFFECTS OF ATOMIC RADIATION

Press Release
GA/SPD/175

FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING ROLE OF UN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON EFFECTS OF ATOMIC RADIATION

The General Assembly would reaffirm the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and endorse plans for its future activities of scientific review and assessment, by the terms of a draft resolution approved by the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this morning.

That action was taken as the Committee concluded its general debate on the effects of atomic radiation. By other terms of the draft, approved without a vote, the Assembly would request the Scientific Committee to continue its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources. It would also request the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to continue providing support for those activities and for the dissemination of the Scientific Committee’s findings.

Speakers in the general debate stressed their support for the Scientific Committee’s research and expressed high expectations for its comprehensive report, to be released next year. They underlined the importance of providing guidance to countries and international cooperation on creating understanding of the levels, effects and risks of atomic radiation.

Several representatives emphasized the importance of the Scientific Committee’s work in the aftermath of recent nuclear accidents. The representative of Ukraine said that the Chernobyl experience had made possible many improvements in radiation protection and emergency preparedness. The accident had provided the impetus for new research programmes on nuclear safety and raised a large number of questions on the treatment of severely exposed persons and decisions affecting the population.

The representative of Iraq said that the Conference on Disarmament must strive to conclude an international convention banning the use of depleted uranium for military purposes. The United States and United Kingdom had fired more than 4,000 depleted uranium bombs against Iraqi targets. The same practice had been employed in

Fourth Committee - 1a- Press release GA/SPD/175 21st Meeting (AM) 11 November 1999

Yugoslavia this year. Depleted uranium was a new generation of weapon, which caused terrible health problems and contaminated air, water supplies and soil. Iraq would claim compensation for damage caused by the bombings, which were in flagrant violation of basic human rights and international law.

Cuba’s representative said it was important not to deny the developing countries the benefits of nuclear energy. The increasingly globalized world would be less viable unless the industrialized countries made a contribution to the real transfer of technologies, making them accessible on an equal basis and without preconditions.

Before action was taken, Malaysia, Monaco and Mongolia joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

Also speaking in today’s debate were the representatives of Libya, India, Egypt, Uruguay (on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and associated countries), Belarus, Peru and Pakistan.

Israel’s representative spoke in explanation of position.

The Fourth Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Tuesday, 16 November, to begin considering questions relating to information.

Committee Work Programme

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to conclude its debate on the effects of atomic radiation and act on a related draft resolution.

By the terms of that draft (document A/C.4/54/L.20), the General Assembly would reaffirm the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, including the present reporting arrangements. It would endorse the Committee's intentions and plans for its future activities of scientific review and assessment, including the publication of its next comprehensive report in the year 2000.

Further, the Assembly would request the Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources. It would also request the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the Scientific Committee's work and for the dissemination of its findings.

Also by the text, the Assembly would express its appreciation for the assistance to the Committee and invite the international community to increase cooperation in that field. It would invite Member States, the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned to provide relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation for future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly.

Statements

RAFAEL DAUSA CESPEDES (Cuba) said that the Scientific Committee had played an important role in supplying information, above all to the developing countries, on the sources of radiation and its effects. The reports and documents of the Committee had been widely used. The importance of the work of the Scientific Committee as a source of independent and reliable information should be emphasized, as well as its continued cooperation with various international bodies.

As an alternative source of energy, atomic energy was of growing importance for the developing countries, he continued. In that connection, it was necessary not to deny the developing countries its benefits. Rational use of nuclear technology was of particular importance. The increasingly globalized world would be less viable unless industrialized countries made a contribution to the real transfer of technologies on an equal basis and without preconditions.

Atomic radiation continued to pose a great risk, and only international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy could overcome the threat that it represented, he said. The only viable option was general and complete disarmament and peaceful use of atomic energy.

AHMED M. RAYANI (Libya) said that his country was participating in the general debate because it was aware that radiation had harmful effects on people of this and coming generations, as well as on the environment. The Scientific Committee had increased awareness of the dangers of radiation and had provided valuable information to international organizations. Libya encouraged the Committee to continue until its tasks were completed.

He said that the cooperation displayed by the nuclear-weapon States in committing themselves to safer disposal of nuclear waste had somewhat allayed the fears of countries potentially at risk of contamination. He hoped that knowledge gained in the nuclear energy field would be used for medical and other peaceful uses and that the developed States would help developing countries, so that all mankind could benefit.

All nuclear reactors must be subject to verification by the IAEA without discrimation, he said. It was imperative to end the use of nuclear reactors for military purposes. Further, toxic waste must be properly disposed of an must not pollute the environment. Those nuclear States that used nuclear energy irresponsibly must be held responsible for posing a danger to other States.

BASUDEB ACHARIA (India) said that his country was happy to co-sponsor the draft resolution under consideration. In December 1998, the General Assembly had adopted without a vote resolution 54/44, which maintained the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee and endorsed the plans for its future activities. As mandated by the Assembly, the Scientific Committee had continued its work at its forty-eighth session held in Vienna in April 1999. India supported the Committee’s concern on radiation exposure and possible health effects.

Continuing, he noted with satisfaction the assessment that the exposure due to medical examinations was only one seventh of that due to natural radiation sources and exposure from man made sources only one two hundredth of that due to natural radiation sources. A systematic study had been initiated of the effects of continuous low level exposure on the population living in high background radiation areas, such as the south-western coast of India. He hoped that in the future, the Scientific Committee would devote its efforts to studying the mechanisms of the effects of low level radiation in humans, as well as in microbes, animals and plants. India looked forward to the publication of the next comprehensive report in the year 2000.

WALID A. HAGGAG (Egypt) said since the risks inherent in the use of nuclear energy were many and varied, it was necessary to continue studying the effects of atomic radiation, provide accurate information and evaluate security and precautionary measures that could be taken in that respect. Egypt, one of the Scientific Committee’s founding members, looked forward to the completion of its evaluation of the subject and to the release of its comprehensive report in the year 2000.

He said that nuclear technology, if restricted to peaceful uses, could be beneficial to all States, especially in the fields of medicine, industry and agriculture. Egypt underlined the continuing and urgent need to transfer nuclear technology to the developing countries, in order to give them access to the benefits of nuclear energy.

There was a need to submit all nuclear establishments in the Middle East region to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) safeguards regime, he said. There were real dangers threatening the peace and security of the Egyptian people, as well as others in the region. That threat was posed by a reactor in Israel, on Egypt’s eastern border, that was not subject to any international safeguards regime whatsoever.

ROKAN HAMA AL-ANBUGE (Iraq) said that the item under discussion was of particular importance due to the recent nuclear accidents, including the one in Japan, and the use of nuclear weapons as a result of unstable international environment. The United States and Britain had used more than 300 tonnes of bombs of depleted uranium during their aggression against Iraq in 1991. That had been repeated in Yugoslavia in 1999.

American and British armies had fired more than 4,000 depleted uranium bombs against Iraqi targets, he continued. The depleted uranium was a new generation of weapons, manufactured with the use of radioactive waste from nuclear fuel and bombs. Dust from the explosion caused cancer and contaminated not only the target site, but wide areas of land, polluting air, water supplies and soil. The contamination in Iraq would continue for a long time, for the radiological age of depleted uranium was several billion years.

Radiation affected the health of the population and caused birth defects and cancer, he said. What was left in Kuwait and in the South of Iraq could lead to half a million deaths in the present generation. The use of those weapons had no military justification. The Government of Iraq held the United States and Britain responsible for the effects of radiation on human beings and the environment in his country. Iraq would claim compensation for the damages, which were in flagrant violation of basic human rights and international law.

The Conference on Disarmament must strive to conclude an international convention banning the use of depleted uranium for military purposes, he said. Additional measures should be taken to deter the parties that did not respect the environmental rules. The situation had been aggravated by the sanctions imposed on Iraq, and the international community should take measures to rectify the situation.

JULIO BENITEZ SAENZ (Uruguay), speaking on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) countries, Bolivia and Chile, emphasized the relevance to the present and future generations of a multidimensional approach to the issue of atomic radiation.

He said it was appropriate that the draft resolution took note of the publication of the Scientific Committee’s comprehensive report on radiation issues in the year 2000. Uruguay awaited its updated information on sources and effects of atomic radiation. The Committee’s work provided a reference for the entire international scientific community.

The MERCOSUR countries attached the utmost importance to the observance of the highest safety standards in the maritime transportation of nuclear waste and toxic materials. Those countries involved in shipping such materials must provide information well in advance of their chosen routes and an understanding must be reached on compensation in case of accidents.

YURY KAZHURA (Belarus) said the work of the Scientific Committee was of particular importance to his country, which had encountered tremendous difficulties due to the accident at Chernobyl. Belarus was prepared to continue cooperation with international organizations and institutions to overcome the consequences of that catastrophe. Research in the aftermath of the accident had been very relevant. In 1996, a Conference on the consequence of the accident had been of particular importance.

The magnitude of the Chernobyl disaster had caused Belarus, Ukraine and Russia to appeal for international assistance for the most affected areas, he continued. The United Nations inter-agency programme now included a Chernobyl project, which reflected the most urgent needs of the affected countries. Carrying out that project could be of interest to the Scientific Committee, particularly concerning research on the effects of radiation on the population and the environment. Undoubtedly, it was also important to solve the problems of the safety of the Chernobyl power plant, where a threat of leakage still remained.

Countering the medical, ecological and economic consequences of the Chernobyl accident should remain at the centre of attention of the international community, he said. Belarus was grateful to all who had provided assistance. Chernobyl “fatigue” was a source of concern, however. The United Nations programmes to overcome the problems of Chernobyl were chronically short of resources. For that reason, he appealed for continued efforts to provide aid to the affected areas.

The delegation of Belarus supported the survey of radiation issues to be completed in 2000, he said. His country was interested in cooperating with the Scientific Committee and providing detailed information on the areas most affected by the Chernobyl accident. Belarus had a national commission on radiation protection, and strengthening the dialogue with the Scientific Committee could turn out productive for both sides.

JUAN MIGUEL MIRANDA (Peru) said that his country had followed the work of the Scientific Committee since its inception. Peru attached particular importance to the use of nuclear energy applications in the medical and environment fields, as well as in the area of radiation’s biological effects.

He said that his country looked forward to the Scientific Committee’s year 2000 report, which would have an updated approach to the evaluation of radiation sources and effects. That would lead to a new starting point, for the betterment of mankind as a whole.

VICTOR O. SEMENENKO (Ukraine) said that several years ago, the Chernobyl accident had completely changed the public perception of nuclear risks. The accident had provided the impetus to develop new research programmes on nuclear safety and raised a large number of questions of “management” -– not only for the treatment of severely exposed persons, but also for the decisions that had to be taken affecting the population. Thirteen years later, many improvements in radiation protection and emergency preparedness had been made possible by the Chernobyl experience, which had also enabled the international community to arrive at a more accurate assessment of the impact of the accident.

He said that the activities of the Scientific Committee in providing independent research of the effects, levels and risks of atomic radiation, gathering information and deepening the knowledge about the real danger of ionizing radiation, were very important. The Committee’s report in the year 2000 would become another significant contribution to that process. He hoped that truthful information about the real situation in Chernobyl would give a new impulse to international cooperation on the matter.

In conclusion, he paid tribute to the international organizations and countries that had participated in fixing the problems of the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear reactor. The Government of Ukraine appreciated the recent decision of the European Union and Group of Seven (G7) countries to take a leading role in the accumulation of resources for that purpose. Those efforts were in line with provisions of the memorandum of understanding on closing down the Chernobyl nuclear power plant by the year 2000. He hoped the international community would increase its assistance to help Ukraine in coping with the after- effects of the worst technological catastrophe in the history of nuclear energy.

BURHANUL ISLAM (Pakistan) said that, despite the fact that medical radiation was the largest source of man-made exposure, nuclear medicine remained an important area of modern research. Medical radiation applications included diagnostic examinations and therapeutic treatments using x-rays or other radiation sources. Because of their immense benefit to mankind, scientific research in medical diagnosis and therapy through nuclear research must not stop. However, adequate measures must be taken to minimize the adverse effects of medical research.

He said the Scientific Committee had contributed significantly to research on the possibility of harm in the progeny of exposed persons. The risk estimates for hereditary effects needed further evaluation. Besides further study on natural and man-made radiation sources, attention should be paid to: dose assessment methodologies; epidemiological evaluation of radiation-induced cancer; DNA repair and mutagenesis; combined effects of radiation and other agents; biological effects at low radiation dose-models; and exposures and effects of the Chernobyl accident. Pakistan looked forward to the Committee's comprehensive report on radiation issues in the year 2000, which was expected to cover all those areas and issues.

Explanation of Position

YOSEF N. LAMDAN (Israel) said that his country was content to join the consensus on the draft on the effects of atomic radiation today. On a related matter, it had also joined the consensus on a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), where the item rightfully belonged. As for the concern regarding leakage from the Israeli nuclear facility at Dimona, there was no danger of that, and there was no evidence of such leakage.

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