MEDIA RELEASE  MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS  ALEXANDER DOWNER

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24 SEPTEMBER 1997

AUSTRALIA FIRST TO SIGN PROTOCOL TO STRENGTHEN NUCLEAR

SAFEGUARDS

I warmly welcome the signature in Vienna yesterday of a Protocol supplementing and  strengthening Australia's basic nuclear safeguards agreement with the International Atomic  Energy Agency (IAEA).

Australia is the first country to sign the new proi02ol: This reflects the Government's strong  support for the IAEA' s efforts to strengthen the international safeguards system. I urge other  countries to join Australia in the early adoption of the model protocol as the new standard for  international safeguards.

The Protocol is based on a model protocol intended for adoption by each country having a  safeguards agreement with the IAEA. The protocol incorporates measures to strengthen  safeguards which have been developed in response to the discovery of Iraq's clandestine  nuclear weapons program in 1991. The new safeguards measures will enhance the IAEA's  ability to detect undeclared nuclear activities.

An effective and efficient international safeguards system underpins international nuclear  cooperation and regional and global nuclear security. Australia is actively involved in the  IAEA's program to strengthen safeguards and played a key role in the negotiation of the  model protocol.

Minor amendments are required to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 in  order to implement the protocol in Australia. The amendments in question have been included  in the Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment Bill currently before the Parliament.

For further information: Ministerial- Innes Willox on 02 62777500 and 0411414695

DF AT -Tony MelvillelKirk Coningham 02 6261 1555

Media releases and speeches are available from DFAT via the intemet. http://www.dfat.Qov.au/

