STATEMENT

 by

H.E. AMBASSADOR ALI ASGHAR SOLTANIEH

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

before the

PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE

COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY

ORGANIZATION (CTBTO)

 TWENTY-SEVENTH SESSION, PART II

VIENNA, 13-17 NOVEMBER 2006

In the Name of God

Mr. Chairman,

Commending your competent, professional chairmanship, I express appreciation to the Executive Secretary for his oral report.

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, I would like to put on record the full commitment of my Government to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and thus the obligations under the CTBT.

Mr. Chairman,

The activities of the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) and the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) deliberation and decisions cannot be considered in isolation. International developments, particularly security related issue will have impact on the overall working environment. However, the Signatory States have to make sure the CTBTO Preparatory Commission activities during the preparatory phase will be contained within the framework of technical mandate.

Mr. Chairman,

Any Signatory State has its own reasons for joining a legally binding instrument such as CTBT which is directly related to national security of Signatories.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has signed the Treaty with the assumption and expectation of successful collective endeavour towards ultimate goal, namely disarmament and total elimination of nuclear weapons as well as banning nuclear tests.

Iran profoundly regrets the lack of any success in nuclear disarmament, strong rejection by US and ignorance by other certain nuclear weapon states, of international calls specially the unanimous decision on unequivocal undertakings at 2000 NPT Review Conference.

Mr. Chairman,

The future of CTBT, its early entry into force, depends to a great extent, on the degree of commitment and compliance of all specially nuclear weapon states and particular US with past dark record, with obligations under NPT, CTBT and disarmament principles, as well as non-discriminatory approach by all towards parties to such treaties. Double standards, deprivation and penalization of NPT parties while non-parties, Israel in particular, is not only exempted from any international surveillance, including IAEA’s Safeguards, creating stalemate and vicious cycle for establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East, but receives nuclear technology and materials, can not be tolerated and would have impact on CTBT Entry into Force and the universality of such treaties.

Mr. Chairman,

As far as the DPRK nuclear test is concerned, I would recall my statement at the Special Session where I urged all to take into due attention to the root cause such as policy of discrimination, isolation, sanctions and double standards, instead of constructive dialogue and negotiations with due respect for sovereign and inalienable rights. Lessons have to be learned.

Mr. Chairman,

Expecting serious consideration to the principles and concerns which I drew the kind attention of distinguished colleagues to, I would like to associate myself to the statement on all issues in our agenda delivered by distinguished Ambassador of Bolivia, on behalf of the G77 and China. Special immediate attention has to be given to the request for Observer Status for Palestine, and decision be made prior to Article XIV Conference in 2007.

While reiterating our support to the PTS activities, we do however expect more representation of our experts from developing countries in key posts of the PTS and participation of experts in various CTBTO’s meetings.

In conclusion, I would like to assure the full cooperation of my delegation for the success of the PrepCom.

Thank you for your attention.