IAEA Board of Governors: 13 September 2017
Statement by Ms Rachelle Allen, Alternate Resident Representative to the IAEA
Agenda Item: Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic
Mr Chair,
We thank the Director General for his comments to the Board, in his opening statement, which relate to implementation of safeguards in the Syrian Arab Republic.
We note the Agency’s standing assessment that the building destroyed at the Dair Alzour site was very likely a nuclear reactor that should have been declared by Syria.
We reiterate our call on Syria to implement the Resolution adopted by this Board in June 2011.
We too consider that it would set a dangerous precedent if instances of non-compliance were removed from the Board’s consideration due simply to the passage of time or lack of cooperation by the Member State found to be in non-compliance.
Australia therefore requests that the implementation of safeguards in the Syrian Arab Republic be retained on the Board’s agenda, and that the Director General continue to report to the Board on this matter, until the Agency determines that Syria has remedied its non-compliance.
Thank you Mr Chair.