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MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER FA31      6 March 2002

AUSTRALIA CONTRIBUTES TO NEW INTERNATIONAL FUND TO COMBAT NUCLEAR/RADIOLOGICAL TERRORISM

I am pleased to announce that Australia will make a one-off contribution of  A$100,000 to a new fund being established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to support international efforts to address the threat of nuclear/ radiological terrorism.

The terrible events of 11 September last year underline the importance of concerted international efforts to keep nuclear weapons and radiological material out of the hands of terrorists.  While the risk of such attacks need to be kept in perspective, their potential consequences justify determined and comprehensive counter-measures by the international community.

The IAEA is the appropriate agency to lead international efforts to deal with this threat.  The new fund is part of a welcome package of measures put forward by IAEA Director General Dr ElBaradei, which will be considered by the IAEA Governing Board at its next meeting in Vienna from 18 to 20 March.

I hope that Australia’s early pledge to the new fund will encourage other countries to come forward with funding for urgent IAEA projects.

Australia also wants to see the activities proposed by the IAEA integrated into the regular budget of the Agency.

This additional funding to the IAEA complements other Australian activities at national, regional and global levels on nuclear safety and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  It should also be seen as part of Australia’s significant wider contribution to the war against terrorism.

Australia is a longstanding and strong supporter of the IAEA.  Australia’s Ambassador in Vienna, Max Hughes, currently chairs the IAEA Board of Governors, and John  Carlson, the Director General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO), heads a high level group advising the IAEA Director General on nuclear safeguards (SAGSI).

Media inquiries:   Matt Francis (Ministerial)  0419 206 890      Lyndall Sachs (Departmental) 02 6261 1555/0407 710 353

