Statement by Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking, Resident Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Office of the United Nations and to other International Organizations, Vienna, on behalf of France, the United Kingdom and Germany

Statement by Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking

on behalf of France, the United Kingdom and Germany

Vienna, 18 November 2011

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of France, the United Kingdom and Germany. All three countries associate themselves fully with the statement delivered earlier by the distinguished Representative of Poland on behalf of the European Union.

We would first of all like to commend the Director General for this report which testifies to his thorough, sustained, professional and impartial efforts to implement the NPT Safeguards Agreement in Iran. We particularly welcome the meticulous way in which the Director General laid out the information available – information which gives rise to increasing concerns about a possible military dimension to Iran’s nuclear programme. Our three countries are gravely concerned at what the Director General, in his latest report and in his introductory remarks yesterday, has told this Board: that the information he has received indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device. That would be a blatant violation of the non-proliferation regime. The international community cannot simply return to business as usual.

Mr. Chairman,

This latest IAEA report paints a very disturbing picture. It testifies that Iran continues down the path of non compliance and confrontation, defying the requirements and obligations contained in the relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the UN Security Council. It remains a matter of utmost concern that the Agency continues to be unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.

The annex to the report sets out in a serious and detailed manner information indicating that Iran has conducted activities in all key areas relevant to the development of a nuclear weapon. The technical briefing provided by the Agency last Friday amply and convincingly illustrated this point.

The IAEA is dealing responsibly with the information available to it. It has not taken it at face value, but has carefully checked its consistency in terms of technical content, individuals and organizations involved and time frames. Overall, the IAEA finds the information, which comes from a variety of independent sources, credible.

Mr. Chairman,

The information set out in the annex to the latest IAEA report is compelling. But Iran continues to refuse to answer the clear and specific questions which arise from this information. The Director General’s report has made clear that dismissing the information as “false and fabricated” – as Iran has done in the past - is neither plausible nor believable.

The onus is squarely on Iran: Iran must now engage with the Agency in a meaningful way. It must now provide credible and substantive explanations on all outstanding issue raised by the Agency. It must now provide the access to all information, documentation, sites, material and personnel requested by the Agency. Excuses and last minute tactical manoeuvres cut no ice.

Far from addressing the concerns of the international community, Iran has in recent months taken decisions and actions which deepen disbelief in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. The decision to increase the 20% enrichment capacity – for which Iran has no credible civilian purpose - and to bury it deep under a mountain is of particular concern against the background of indications of weaponisation activities and the development of a ballistic missile programme. All these activities are carried out in clear violation of six UN Security Council and ten Board of Governors resolutions. Iran must fully comply with all these resolutions.

Mr. Chairman,

Our three countries remain determined to work towards a comprehensive, negotiated, long-term diplomatic solution, which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, while respecting Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy consistent with the NPT.

Over the past year the E3+3, with the support of the EU High Representative, have made concrete and practical proposals for initial confidence building measures to Iran. We deeply regret that Iran has failed to respond in kind. Instead, Iran has reacted in increasingly provocative fashion. The E3+3, with the support of the EU High Representative, remain ready to engage with Iran in a constructive dialogue. The EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, in a letter on 21 October called on Iran to engage seriously in meaningful discussions on concrete steps aimed at restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. As yet, Iran has not responded. We expect Iran to demonstrate its willingness to address the international community’s concerns about its nuclear programme without preconditions.

Mr. Chairman,

The United States on behalf of the E3+3 has submitted a draft resolution which supports the Agency’s efforts to implement the Safeguards Agreement in Iran and to resolve the outstanding issues which give rise to serious concerns. The resolution calls on Iran to comply fully and without delay with its legally binding obligations. We would like to ask for the support of all members of the Board of Governors for the resolution sponsored by China, the Russian Federation, the United States as well as our three countries. We propose the resolution contained in document GOV/2011/67 to be adopted without a vote.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman