PERMANENTMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
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STATEMENT

BYAmbassador Abdul S. Minty
Special Representative for Disarmament and NEPAD
at the South African Department for International Relations andCoopera ti 0 n
During the General Debateof the2010 Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on theNon-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

New York
5 May 2010

Check against delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,
Please accept my delegation's congratulations on your election to preside over thisimportant conference. At the outset, I also wish to associate myself with the statements
delivered on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the New Agenda Coalition.

Mr. President,
Recent positive developments in the disarmament and non-proliferation field would seemto indicate that the NPT may be heading out of its crisis. It is, nevertheless, at acrossroads. The task before us, is to reach a consensual outcome that would strengthen
all three pillars of the NPT and reinforce the consensus agreements reached in 1995 and2000. In this regard, we are aided by a number of common objectives and previously
agreed to principles that serve as a firm foundation that, if we build on them wisely, should
facilitate our task of finding a consensus that would address the challenges facing theNPT. Among these, I would like to highlight the following:1) We all agree that under the NPT's "Grand Bargain", the five nuclear-weapon Statesagreed to legally-binding commitments to pursue nuclear disarmament on the basisof which the non-nuclear-weapon States entered into legally-binding commitments
not to receive, manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear
explosive devices. In this regard, we all share the view that the unequivocal
undertaking to nuclear disarmament made during the 2000 NPT Review
Conference should be reaffirmed as the foundation for a step-by-step process which
would reduce the threat posed by nuclear weapons, de-emphasise their importanceand lead to their elimination.
2) We also all agree on the need to build upon the unequivocal undertaking made by

the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear
arsenals in a concrete, transparent, irreversible and verifiable manner inaccordance with Article VI of the NPT.
3) We furthermore all agree that the full implementation of all non-proliferationcommitments are undoubtedly of importance, but that the achievement of genuine
security requires a similar commitment to the full implementation of all Treaty
provisions under the other two equally important pillars of the Treaty, namely nuclear
disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Nuclear disarmament andnuclear non-proliferation are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing and weshould underline that progress on both fronts is required to attain the goal of a world
free from the scourge of nuclear weapons.
4)

We all fully share the conviction that the IAEA is the only internationally recognisedcompetent authority responsible for verifying and assuring compliance with safeguards
agreements of States Parties, concluded in compliance with their obligations under theNPT. In this regard, we should be able to agree that the strengthened safeguards

system is an essential element of collective efforts to address the threat posed by theproliferation of nuclear weapons.
5) In both the 1995 and 2000 Conferences, NPT States Parties already committed tothe strengthening of IAEA safeguards. Whilst the Additional Protocol is a voluntarymeasure, we could recognise its importance as a confidence building measure,especially with regard to those States with advanced nuclear programmes andfacilities. The Additional Protocol is an indispensible instrument, which enables theIAEA to provide credible assurances regarding the absence of undeclared nuclearmaterial.
6) The "peaceful uses of nuclear energy" pillar remains an essential component of theNPT. The Treaty itself describes the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes as
an "inalienable right" and the peaceful application of nuclear energy is of particular
relevance and importance to developing countries, given the need for sustainable andaccelerated economic growth. The Conference should therefore underscore that thenon-proliferation aspects of the Treaty will not be used as a tool to deny access tocountries - particularly developing countries - to the peaceful use of nuclear energy
and also reaffirm the paramount importance of the promotional role of the Agency,
as stipulated in Article II of the IAEA Statute, as well as Article III (3) of the NPT.
This promotional role can only be effectively fulfilled with additional resources being
provided to the Agency.
7) Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs), as envisaged in Article VII of the Treaty,
remain an important aspect of the nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation
process. We should agree on measures to implement, as a matter of urgency, the1995 Resolution on the Middle East. We should also support the creation of newand additional NWFZs in other parts of the world.
The Conference should
furthermore urge all relevant States to sign and ratify the Protocols to the alreadyexisting NWFZs. An important precedent of a "nuclear-weapon-free State" alreadyexists that could also be built upon by other States.
8) In order to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and build upon the 2000
Final Document, we should support the provision of legally-binding security
assurances to States that have foregone the nuclear weapons option under the NPT.
9) On nuclear weapons testing, we should agree on the vital importance of signaturesand ratifications, without delay and without conditions and in accordance withconstitutional processes, to achieve the soonest entry into force of theComprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), as a core element of theinternational nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament regime.
10) Recognising that the non-nuclear-weapon States under the NPT have alreadyagreed to a legally-binding commitment not to produce fissile material for nuclear
weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and the lack of progress on this issue
in the Conference on Disarmament, we all should encourage the commencement ofnegotiations on a verifiable universal ban on the production of fissile material fornuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, that would serve both
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives.
11) Article X acknowledges the right of States to withdraw from the NPT in the exercise of
their national sovereignty in certain defined circumstances and in accordance withthe procedures set out in this article. The issue of withdrawal is a serious matterthat needs to be considered, particularly in relation to the continued application ofsafeguards on material, equipment and technology already transferred.

Mr. President,
The above is not meant to be an exhaustive Iist, nor is it intended to detract from otherimportant proposals already made by individual States or groups of States, but could serve
as a framework of common understandings by a II of us to address the challenges facing theNPT.
Regarding the NPT Review Process, South Africa is generally supportive of astrengthened Process that will enhance the effectiveness of the treaty in a cost effectivemanner and that would not duplicate existing efforts. We should, however, take care that
undue emphasis on procedural matters do not detract from our discussions andnegotiations on matters of substance, which is 0 ur core business.

Mr. President,
It would be fair to say that this 2010 NPT Review Conference has been preceded bydevelopments that have contributed to an atmosphere of cautious optimism regarding thepotential for substantive advances at this Review Conference. Among these development,
we welcome positive signals from some of the nuclear-weapon States, including the newSTART agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States and the highlevel Nuclear Security Summit, which reaffirmed the primary responsibility of States in thearea of nuclear security and safety and the supportive role played by the IAEA, including
by providing updated guidelines and promoting co-operation among States.
My delegation was pleased to note the renewed commitment expressed by the US
Secretary of State on Monday to the elements of transparency, irreversibility andverifiability agreed to during the 2000 Review Conference. Whilst welcoming all steps
aimed at fulfilling this undertaking, we urge all five nuclear-weapon States to also do theirown part, as concrete measures towards implementing the practical steps agreed to in
2000 are long overdue by all of them.
The peaceful uses pillar of the NPT has always lacked the necessary resource base. We
therefore attach great importance to the commitment made by the US at this conference
and we hope that other countries, particularly developed states. would also contribute in ameaningful manner, thereby promoting sustainable development, achieving the Millennium
Development Goals and addressing the poverty divide.

Other positive developments include the entry into force of the Semipalatinsk andPelindaba NWFZ Treaties. The confirmation by one of the nuclear-weapon States that it
has taken steps towards ratifying its participation in these zones is a positive developmentthat other NWS and other relevant States shou Id also do.

Mr. President,
This Conference will be a critical one for the disarmament and non-proliferation community
insofar as it will be seen as a litmus test for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime. TheConference will either witness positive reinforcement of the NPT, or a lack of progress thatmay serve as an indication of a stagnant process no longer able to achieve the goals it
aspires to. We need to ensure that the Treaty is indeed strengthened in all its aspects inorder to adequately address the challenges facing international peace and security today.
We should not allow any decisions to be taken at this Review Conference which may infringeon the inalienable right of all States Parties to the verifiable peaceful application of nuclear
energy, as provided for under the Treaty. The Treaty must be implemented in all its aspects
without favour or prejudice. It may well be a difficult balance to maintain, but it is a balancethat must nevertheless be achieved and maintained.
South Africa stands ready to work constructively with all delegations towards achieving a
successful conclusion to this Conference. In order to accomplish this goal, my delegation
is of the view that the elements highlighted above provide a framework that should beexplored to promote a convergence of views among us all. Success in this endeavour will
not only contribute to securing a better future for humanity, but will also promoteinternational peace and security. What is required from all of us, is to display thenecessary political will, flexibility and a spirit of co-operation to ensure that we turn thevision of a world without nuclear weapons into reality and can indeed proclaim "Atoms forpeace only!".
I thank you, Mr President.