SOUTH AFRICA: REACTIONS TO NUCLEAR DISCLOSURE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06807054
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: April 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-00226
• Publication Date: March 29, 1993

Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807054
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Contents
South Africa: Reactions to Nuclear Disclosure 8
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SOUTH AFRICA: Reactions to Nuclear Disclosure
Although many nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency
have reacted favorably to South Africa's disclosures of its past nuclear
weapons program, there are concerns about the completeness of
Pretoria's declaration of nuclear holdings and about its past cooperation
with other countries on nuclear technology.
Australia has called Pretoria's candor about its weapons program
exemplary; Tokyo said it was surprised but encouraged Pretoria's
continued commitment to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The
IAEA has begun talks in Pretoria on inspecting nuclear-weapons-
related facilities.
Possible discrepancies in Pretoria's accounting to the IAEA, however,
are raising concerns that South Africa may be trying to preserve a
clandestine nuclear capability. Moreover, the ANC says it doubts that
all bomb-grade uranium has been eliminated and has called on
Pretoria to stop the destruction_aflbzea - Mecnonnents.
Comment: Pretoria's disclosure of its nuclear weapons program and
its invitation to the IAEA are likely to help its international standing.
The OAU may invite it to send an observer when its denuclearization
committee meets in April. In addition, South Africa undoubtedly
hopes the disclosure will improve its access to commercial Western
nuclear technology and to scientific exchanges, particularly with the
US and with EC members.
Although Pretoria was required to declare all material that was in the
country when it sianed the NPT, it may not have listed all it ever
produced
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