NAM members of IAEA Board of Governors on Tuesday announced that the Technical Cooperation Program should not be used as a tool by any of the Board members for political purposes.

"NAM reiterates that the Technical Cooperation Program should not be used as a tool for political purposes and considers that decisions and actions regarding this issue should not jeopardize the credibility of the Agency and the integrity of its programs," read a NAM statement to the IAEA Board meeting on March 5, 2007, a copy of which was made available to IRNA.

The statement called on all parties to exercise patience and restraint in dealing with Iran's case, urging them not to resort to any act which would lead to confrontation.

"Taking into account the recent developments on this issue, NAM calls upon all parties concerned to exercise patience and restraint and not to resort to any action, which may lead to a tense situation and create unnecessary confrontation," read the statement.

It also warned against any armed attack or a threat of armed attack on a safeguarded nuclear facility.

"(NAM) Recognizes that armed attack or a threat of armed attack on a safeguarded nuclear facility, in operation or under construction, would create a situation in which the United Nations Security Council would have to act immediately in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter."

Welcoming recent visit of NAM Troika plus G77, China and Arab League envoys to Iran early February in which they received updated information on Iranian peaceful nuclear program, the statement said it is an instance of transparency and confidence-building measure on Iran's part.

"NAM welcomes the recent visit of the Troika of the NAM Vienna Chapter to the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 3 and 4 February, together with representatives of the Group of 77 and China and the Arab League of States, following an invitation by the Iranian authorities. During the visit, which included some nuclear facilities, the Troika received updated information on the Iranian nuclear program. NAM assessed the invitation as a transparency and confidence building measure by the Iranian authorities. The visit received wide coverage by the international media. Copies of the report of the visit by the NAM Troika are available in this room." Elsewhere, the statement recalled its principles and positions on NPT implementation, as reflected in the statement on Iran's nuclear Issue adopted in the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Havana, Cuba, on 15 and 16 September 2006.

"NAM wishes to take this opportunity to recall its principles and positions on the issue, as reflected in the Statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear issue, adopted in the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Havana, Cuba, on 15 and 16 September 2006."

"The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed the basic and inalienable right of all states, to develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination and in conformity with their respective legal obligations. Therefore, nothing should be interpreted in a way as inhibiting or restricting this right of states to develop atomic energy for peaceful purposes. They furthermore reaffirmed that states' choices and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and its fuel cycle policies must be respected."

"The Heads of State or Government recognized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the sole competent authority for verification of the respective safeguards obligations of Member States and stressed that there should be no undue pressure or interference in the Agency's activities, especially its verification process, which would jeopardize the efficiency and credibility of the Agency."

"The Heads of State or Government welcomed the cooperation extended by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the IAEA including those voluntary confidence-building measures undertaken, with a view to resolve the remaining issues. They noted the assessment of the IAEA Director-General that all nuclear material declared by Iran had been accounted for. They noted, at the same time, that the process for drawing a conclusion with regard to the absence of undeclared material and activities in Iran is an ongoing and time-consuming process. In this regard, the Heads of State or Government encouraged Iran to urgently continue to cooperate actively and fully with the IAEA within the Agency's mandate to resolve outstanding issues in order to promote confidence and a peaceful resolution of the issue."

"The Heads of State or Government emphasized the fundamental distinction between the legal obligations of States to their respective safeguards agreements and any confidence building measures voluntarily undertaken to resolve difficult issues, and believed that such voluntary undertakings are not legal safeguards obligations."

"The Heads of State or Government considered the establishment of nuclear-weapons-free zones (NWFZs) as a positive step towards attaining the objective of global nuclear disarmament and reiterated the support for the establishment in the Middle East of a nuclear-weapon-free zone, in accordance with relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. Pending the establishment of such a zone, they demanded Israel to accede to the NPT without delay and place promptly all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards."

"The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed the inviolability of peaceful nuclear activities and that any attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities -- operational or under construction -- poses a great danger to human beings and the environment, and constitutes a grave violation of international law, principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and regulations of the IAEA. They recognized the need for a comprehensive multilaterally negotiated instrument, prohibiting attacks, or threat of attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful uses of nuclear energy."

"The Heads of State or Government strongly believed that all issues on safeguards and verification, including those of Iran, should be resolved within the IAEA framework, and be based on technical and legal grounds. They further emphasized that the Agency should continue its work to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue within its mandate under the Statute of the IAEA."

"The Heads of State or Government also strongly believed that diplomacy and dialogue through peaceful means must continue to find a long term solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. They expressed their conviction that the only way to resolve the issue is to resume negotiations without any preconditions and to enhance cooperation with the involvement of all necessary parties to promote international confidence with the view to facilitating Agency's work on resolving the outstanding issues."

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