World Atom Agency Asks End to Nuclear Ties With S. Africa

With the United States, Britain and 17 other countries abstaining, the International Atomic Energy Agency unanimously adopted a resolution Friday calling on its members to stop all nuclear cooperation with South Africa because of apartheid.

The resolution, proposed by Nigeria and other African coutries and adopted 88 to 0, also demanded that South Africa immediately submit all its nuclear installations to IAEA inspections. South Africa, which is believed nearing the capability to produce nuclear weapons, has refused to abide by “full-scope” agency safeguards.

In another controversial matter, the IAEA averted a U.S. walkout from the 112-member body when a tough Arab motion calling for sanctions against Israel for its 1981 raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor failed to achieve a two-thirds majority.