STATEMENT FOR AUGUST 3 IAEA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

UNCLAS STATE 080219 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABUD AFIN AORC IAEA KNNP PREL SUBJECT: STATEMENT FOR AUGUST 3 IAEA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING REF: UNVIE 362 ¶1. This responds to UNVIE's request for a statement for presentation at the Special Board on August 3 that will deal with the IAEA budget. UNVIE may use/draw from paragraph 2 for the statement. ¶2. Begin Statement text. The United States is pleased to join consensus on a real increase to the budget of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2010-2011 (GOV/2009/52). We recognize that agreeing to an increase in the budget of an international organization while in the midst of a global financial crisis is difficult for all parties. We would like to thank all Member States for the time and effort spent collaborating and negotiating on what we know is a difficult issue. The IAEA plays a vital role in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and in nuclear weapons non-proliferation, and Member States must continue to work to ensure that the Agency has the resources it needs to fulfill these important functions. ¶3. The IAEA,s role is becoming increasingly important as we pursue a world in which nuclear energy is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and in which nuclear weapons are only a distant memory. Key to the realization of these objectives is a strengthened IAEA, well-equipped to verify obligations under the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons and other safeguards agreements, to ensure that terrorists never acquire a nuclear weapon, to facilitate the peaceful use nuclear energy, and to promote the highest standards of nuclear safety. ¶4. By stabilizing funding for nuclear security, this new budget is an important step in strengthening the IAEA and providing it with the resources it needs to send a strong signal that all Member States are united in the fight against nuclear terrorism. Nonetheless, we must not become complacent in this important achievement if we are to move towards a world without nuclear weapons. This body must continue to pay careful attention to ensure that the IAEA receives the resources it needs to carry out its growing responsibilities -- responsibilities essential to both the peace and security of all nations and the development of peaceful nuclear energy programs. ¶5. Finally, the United States wishes to pay special recognition to the tireless efforts of Ambassador Ferut, supported by the Secretariat, in achieving this objective. We again commend our fellow delegations present here today for their patient pursuit for consensus throughout this difficult process. We hope that this consensus foreshadows a renewal of the "spirit of Vienna" which will carry over to the General Conference next month and future meetings of this body. End statement text. CLINTON