Nuclear-weapons countries have failed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, which threatens world peace, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Monday.
Speaking in the National Assembly during debate on her Budget vote, Dlamini-Zuma repeated South Africa’s support for international treaties and instruments in the fight against international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
”In this regard, as committed multilateralists we shall defend the role of multilateral instruments such as the NPT [Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty] and the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA].
”We appreciate the professional manner in which the IAEA and its director general, Dr ElBaradei, have discharged their responsibilities, including with regard to the thorny issue of Iran, and congratulate them on being honoured with the well-deserved award of the Nobel Peace Prize,” she said.
South Africa recognised the inalienable right of all NPT members, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to peaceful use of nuclear technology and underlined the importance of voluntary confidence-building and transparency measures by Iran, and full cooperation with the IAEA, in accordance with its obligations, to resolve this issue.
”We believe that this matter can be resolved within the IAEA and appeal to all parties to reduce confrontation and resort to dialogue and negotiations instead of aggravating further the tense and explosive situation in the region.
”Escalating confrontation and war talk is truly a recipe for disaster, which will benefit no one,” she said.
The 2005 review conference of the NPT ended in deadlock. Over the 36 years of its existence it has yielded hardly any results in terms of nuclear disarmament by the nuclear-weapon states.
”Indeed, we read constantly about the development of new types of nuclear weapons by some, not for deterrence, but actual use.
”This is the extent of the increasing threat to world peace and to the NPT itself.
”In this regard, we must re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of international peace and security and continue to struggle for a world totally free of all weapons of mass destruction.
”And we must let the nuclear weapon states understand that as long as some possess these deadly weapons, there will always be others who aspire to them,” Dlamini-Zuma said. — Sapa