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expansion of the international transfer of nuclear technology requires a
healthy maintenance of the non-proliferation régime and support for the
Agency's safeguards system, including the expansion of it that will be
needed.
I would like to close these comments on the necessity of rebuilding
confidence in nuclear power by stressing the responsibility of
Governments and their authorities, of the nuclear industry itself and of
scientific institutions to contribute to a meaningful public discussion
by providing the objective factual information which is needed. The IAEA
cannot intervene in national debates to correct erroneous or biased
views, but it has recently been asked to provide factual and neutral
information which can be used in Member States to explain and correct
We shall try to do so.
misunderstandings.
Summing up, I am optimistic about the future of nuclear power.
Most of the problems of the nuclear industry stem from the restructuring
of energy demand and supply after the oil shocks. We are slowly emerging
from this period of restructuring, and I am certain that, when new
electric generating plants come to be ordered -- as they will have to be
not least the environmental advantages of
nuclear plants will be important in the choices made. However we cannot
afford to lose sight of that standard of excellence in safety and good
operations which is needed in order to maintain confidence.
the economic and
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