Position Paper - Afghanistan - 2009 - International Atomic Energy Agency -

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has provided for the international community a safeguard system that is meant to assure that nuclear material used with peaceful intentions. After the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the IAEA became an instrument in the verification of each countries complies with this agreement, hereby continuing a safeguard role. Afghanistan has been part of the IAEA since its conception in 1957; in which Afghanistan played an important and active role in the agency. Because of several years of war and conflict, this commitment level has diminished and even can be considered sporadic. But since 2002, Afghanistan has taken a stronger initiative to maintain its current commitment to recapture a role within the international community and especially within the organizations and agencies Afghanistan is involved in. In the past, Afghanistan recognizes the IAEA’s attempts to apply their safeguard standards within the Middle East. It was evident in the past that members of the United Nations desired the establishment of a nuclear-weapon free zone within the region.
Recently, more countries within the Middle East region have come to cooperate with the IAEA, others have deliberately chosen not to. Iranian lawmakers in recent days have begun to push for diminishing cooperating with the IAEA. It is obvious that Iran’s actions have been creating fear and panic within the hearts of the people of neighboring nations and across the globe. As a result, neighboring nations within the region have returned Iran’s aggressive behavior and lack of care with threats and economic sanctions. This is only one example of the reasons why this region needs to become weapons-free and safeguarded.
Afghanistan takes the position against nuclear weapons and encourages universal disarmament of all nuclear weapons; therefore we fully support the Middle East region to be free of nuclear weapons. Afghanistan therefore sees it essential to begin the application of safeguard standards within the Middle East region for the peaceful use of atomic energy. We fully promote the importance of self-reliance, independence and sovereignty, but Afghanistan still also recognizes the importance of international cooperation, especially on a topic as nuclear. As Afghanistan has already established a High Atomic Energy Commission within its own nation, we see is beneficial to do so in the Middle East region as well.