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 2 November 2009
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IAEA chief says nuclear terrorism poses gravest threat to the world

02/11/2009

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed El Baradei, warned on Monday that the gravest threat the world faces today is that extremists could get hold of nuclear or radioactive materials.

Mohamed ElBaradei

Mohamed ElBaradei

In his speech to the General Assembly, the agency's chief said in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the agency initiated a comprehensive programme to combat the risk of nuclear terrorism.

He said he was proud of the speed with which the IAEA established an effective nuclear security programme providing $50 million in equipment, training and other assistance to member States in the last three years.

"But it is disconcerting that nuclear security continues to be funded almost entirely from voluntary contributions, which come with many conditions attached and are both insufficient and unpredictable. Much more needs to be done. The number of incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities reported to our Illicit Trafficking Database -- over 200 last year - remains a cause of grave concern."

Mr. El Baradei said this might well be only the tip of the iceberg.

In his statement to the General Assembly, the outgoing head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency touched on a number of nuclear matters the IAEA has addressed over the last 12 years while he was at the helm.

He said the agency has moved from being a relatively unknown technical organization to becoming a major player at the centre of issues critical to international peace and security.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
duration: 1'31"

Sound bites

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 1

"But it is disconcerting that nuclear security continues to be funded almost entirely from voluntary contributions, which come with many conditions attached and are both insufficient and unpredictable. Much more needs to be done. The number of incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities reported to our Illicit Trafficking Database -- over 200 last year - remains a cause of grave concern."
Duration: 26"

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 2

"Since I spoke to you in 1998, the Agency has moved from being relatively unknown technical organization, whose work was of interest mainly to the specialists in the nuclear field, to becoming a major player at the centre of issues critical to international peace and security. The Agency has gained universal respect fro its independence and objectivity in nuclear verification, safety and security. We have also made considerable progress in brining the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology to developing countries, improving their access to energy, health care, food and clean water. While I leave office after 12 years with pride in the IAEA's many achievements, I must also express some disappointments. Disappointments tht we are still fighting the same battles to secure sufficient funding as we were back in the 1990s, that the development side of our mandate remains chronically under-funded, and that we still lack adequate legal authority to do our job effectively in verification, safety and security. On a more positive note, nuclear disarmament, which failed to make any headway in the two decades since the end of the Cold War, is now back at the top of the international agenda and there is reason to hope that we may see a breakthrough."
Duration: 1'34"

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 3

"The world seems set for a significant expansion in the use of nuclear power, with scores of countries expressing interest in introducing it as part of their energy mix. Not surprisingly, most of these are from the developing world which urgently needs a dramatic increase in electricity supply if it is to lift is people out of poverty. Energy is the engine of development. For many countries, nuclear power, with its good performance and safety record, is a way to meet their surging demand for energy, reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in the cost of fossil fuels and combat climate change. The IAEA has adjusted its priorities to focus more on the nuclear power programmes of what we call the 'newcomers'."
Duration: 54"

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 4

"The gravest threat the world faces today, in my opinion, is that extremists could get hold of nuclear or radioactive materials. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the IAEA initiated a comprehensive programme to combat the risk of nuclear terrorism. I am proud o f the speed and efficiency with which the Agency established an effective nuclear security programme which has provided $50 million in equipment, training, and other assistance to Member States in the last three years."
Duration: 34"

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 5

"Mr President, the global non-proliferation landscape has changed radically in the last two decades. The way in which the Agency implements safeguards has also undergone a metamorphosis. We have moved beyond simple verification of declared nuclear material at declared facilities to assessing information on a Sate's entire nuclear programme and, most importantly, verifying the absence of undeclared activities. The Model Additional Protocol, which was approved in 1997, has become an essential verification tool. Within the limited resources and capabilities available to us, we have made increasing use of advanced technology critical to verification today such as remote monitoring, environmental sampling and satellite imagery."
Duration: 53"

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency cut 6

"Six years have passed since Iran was reported to the IAEA Board of Governors for failing to declare material and activities to the Agency, in violation of its safeguards agreement. As a result of difficult and painstaking work, the Agency has acquired a better understanding of Iran's civil nuclear programme. Nevertheless, a number of questions and allegations relevant to the nature of that programme are still outstanding and need to be clarified by Iran through transparency and cooperation with the Agency. As I have pointed out many times, however, addressing the concerns of the international community about Iran's future intentions is primarily a matter of confidence-building, which can only be achieved through dialogue. In therefore urge Iran to be as forthcoming gas possible in responding soon to my recent proposal, based on the initiative of the U.S., Russia and France, which aimed to engage Iran in a series of measures that could build confidence and trust and open the way for comprehensive and substantive dialogue between Iran and the international community. The issue at stake remains that of mutual guarantees amongst the parties. I should add, however, that trust and confidence-building are an incremental process that requires focusing on the big picture and a willingness to take risks for peace."
Duration: 1'38"