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