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IAEA Reports On Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown- “The worst is behind us” “post-accident phase,” – Amano

‘It has been a challenging two years, especially for the people and Government of Japan, but also for the IAEA. However, the worst elements of the accident are behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase,’ Amano told the IAEA board members gathered to discuss the agency’s work on nuclear verification, safety, security and the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

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05.03.2013

TOKYO (dpa-AFX) – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday tabled its report on the aftermath of the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant as well as issues related to the controversial nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea.

IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano told the Agency’s 35-member Board of Governors during their first meeting of the year in Vienna that the UN nuclear watchdog is working hard to help Japan deal with the consequences of the March 2011 nuclear power plant accident.

‘It has been a challenging two years, especially for the people and Government of Japan, but also for the IAEA. However, the worst elements of the accident are behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase,’ Amano told the IAEA board members gathered to discuss the agency’s work on nuclear verification, safety, security and the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

Incidentally, March 11, 2011 marks the second anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, which was damaged after an earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The incident was reported to be the worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

‘The Agency continues to work hard to help Japan deal with the consequences of the accident. Member States are also making serious efforts to implement the lessons learned from this and from previous accidents,’ Amano added.

He also voiced concern about issues relating to the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Amano reported that the Agency is continuing to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement.

‘However, Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The Agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities,’ he stated.

He noted that the IAEA has so failed to persuade Iran to cooperate with the agency and provide its inspectors access to a military site that the west suspects was used for testing explosives related to setting off a nuclear weapon. The agency had held three rounds of talks with Teheran on the issue since November 2012.

‘I am therefore, once again, unable to report any progress on the clarification of outstanding issues, including those relating to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program,’ he said.

Although Iran insists its nuclear work is intended for peaceful civilian purposes, the West suspects the claim to be a cover-up for the country’s nuclear weapon ambitions. Iran is currently reeling under four round of U.N. sanctions as well as separate sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies over Tehran’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

Amano also noted North Korea had carried out its third nuclear test since 2006 on February 12, despite repeated international warnings against the move. The test was in direct violation of UN sanctions imposed on the communist nation for conducting nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

‘I reiterate my call for the DPRK to fully comply with the NPT and to cooperate promptly and fully with the Agency. The IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of this issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities once political agreement is reached among the countries concerned,’ he stated.

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2013-03/26148983-iaea-reports-on-fukushima-nuclear-meltdown-iran-north-korea-020.htm

Here is a link to the opening speech at the IAEA conference

http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/statements/2013/amsp2013n03.html

March 5, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized