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Nuclear Disarmament Initiative.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004

Thursday, 24 June 2004

Questions (52)

Michael Noonan

Question:

44 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18782/04]

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Written answers

On 19 December 2003, Libya announced its intention, following negotiations with the UK and US, to eliminate all materials, equipment and programmes which lead to the production of internationally proscribed weapons. In the months since, the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, has been working closely with the Libyan authorities to gain a complete picture of its nuclear programme. A resolution, adopted on 10 March 2004 by the board of governors of the agency, welcomed Libya's voluntary decision and requested it to provide continuing co-operation and full disclosure while agreeing to report past non-compliance to the Security Council for information purposes. The latest report by the director general of the agency, Dr Mohammed El Baradei, published on 1 June, was delivered at the most recent meeting of the IAEA board of governors in Vienna this month. The report confirms that Libya has proactively co-operated with the agency by providing information and prompt access to all locations requested.

The IAEA is making good progress in understanding Libya's past nuclear activities. However, some aspects still need to be assessed and it is important that Libya facilitate this by providing the necessary information. One important aspect is co-operation with the agency investigation into the illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and the origins of such materials. Full and close co-operation by all third countries with the agency is also essential in the clarification of outstanding questions. Ireland fully supports the work of the IAEA in verifying the dismantling of the Libyan programme and looks forward to the next report of the director general of the IAEA on further progress in Libya at the next board of governors meeting in September.

Ireland has also welcomed Libya's accession to the chemical weapons convention and subsequent declaration of its chemical weapons agents. As with the IAEA's verification activities, we are looking forward to Libya's continued co-operation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons with regard to fulfilling its obligations to comply with the requirements of the convention.

Question No. 45 answered with QuestionNo. 15.
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