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N E W S  R E L E A S E

NQ

D17 D A T E 15 November 1977

MR JUSTICE F0X

Mr Justice Fex,  Australia's Ambassador-at-large  on nuclear.non-proliferation and safeguards matters,   returned to Australia today after an absence overseas of  five weeks.  Mr Justice Fox has been engaged in an  intensive round of consultations on nuclear issues.

He led the Australian delegation to the important  International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE)  Conference in Washington,  at which plans were laid for  international studies designed to secure non-proliferation  objectives while at the same time recognising legitimate  needs for nuclear energy. The Conference was.attended by  40 nations and a number of international agencies,  including  the International Atomic Energy Agency.

After the Conference.Â» Mr Justice Fox held  discussions concerning INFCE and non-proliferation in  Washington,  London,  Paris >  Vienna and New Delhi.

In Vienna he had a meeting with representatives  of Switzerland and the Philippines,  which countries,  with  Australia,  have agreed to act as co-leaders in one of the  eight topics for study. The topic in question is

"Assurances of long-term supply of technology,  fuel and  heavy water and services in the interest of national needs  consistent with non-proliferation".

A further meeting of representatives of the  three countries is to take place on 2 December, and on  12 December there is to be a meeting in Vienna of the  co-leaders of all the study topics.

.  In order that he will be more centrally situated for carrying out his role as Ambassador-at-large in relation  to matters of non-proliferation and safeguards, Mr Justice  .  Fox will take up residence in London for about a year.

