MEDIA RELEASE  MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS  Ati:XANDER DOWNER

FA41

-!l AUSTRALIA &

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16 MAY 1997

INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS SYSTEM STRENGTHENED

I welcome the adoption of a model protocol to strengthen the international nuclear safeguards  system by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors on 15 May.

The discovery of Iraq's clandestine nuclear weapon program in 1991 highlighted the fact that,  while the classical safeguards system had served the international community well for over  two decades, there were limitations in that system which had to be addressed.

The model protocol contains measures to enhance the IAEA' s ability to detect undeclared  nuclear activities, principally through new technical methods such as environmental sampling  techniques, improved access to nuclear-related sites, and improved availability and analysis  of nuclear-related information.

Australia has been a strong supporter of the IAEA's program to strengthen safeguards and has  played a key role in bringing the model protocol negotiations to a conclusion. I urge other  countries to join Australia in the early adoption of the model protocol as the new standard for  nuclear safeguards agreements between individual states and the IAEA.

For further information: Ministerial- Peter Collins on 06 277 7500 and 0411 414 695

DFAT- Tony Melville/Kirk Coningham 06 2611555

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Media releases and speeches are available from DFAT via the internet. http://www.dfat.~ov.au/

