THE IAEA: POLITICIZATION AND SAFEGUARDS

The International Atomic Energy Agency is widely understood to be an essential element of an effective international nonprol if er at ion regime which is itself a condition sine qua non to international nulcear cooperation and commerce. The progressive intrusion into Agency activities of extraneous political issues has threatened the Agency's integrity and undermined confidence in the organization. The consequences of continued deterioration would be substantial, most particularly for international safeguards which are unique and invaluable to peaceful nuclear development and international security. Measures to reverse this trend are identified and di scussed.