International Atomic Energy Agency Information Circular (Unofficial electronic edition)

INFCIRC/397 9 January 1992 GENERAL Distr. Original: ENGLISH and RUSSIAN

[ English]

On 26 December 1991 the Director General received a Note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation informing him that "the membership of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the IAEA, in all its organs as well as in all conventions, agreements and other international legal instruments, which were concluded within its framework or under its aegis is continued by the Russian Federation (RF) and in this connection in the IAEA the name 'The Russian Federation' should be used in the place of the name 'The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics'. The Russian Federation remains responsible in full for all rights and obligations of the USSR in the IAEA, including the financial obligations." The Note further states that it "constitutes credentials to represent the Russian Federation in the IAEA organs for all those currently possessing the credentials of the representatives of the USSR in the IAEA" (the full text of the Note is reproduced in Attachment 1).

On 24 December 1991 the Director General received a Note from the Secretary-General of the United Nations transmitting a letter from the President of the Russian Federation concerning membership of the Russian Federation in the United Nations (the full text of the letter is reproduced in Attachment 2). The letter was also transmitted to the Executive Heads of other organizations belonging to the United Nations system, as it relates to matters of interest to all of them.

INFCIRC/397
Attachment 1

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has the honour to inform that the membership of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the IAEA, in all its organs as well as in all conventions, agreements and other international legal instruments, which were concluded within its framework or under its aegis is continued by the Russian Federation (RF) and in this connection in the IAEA the name "The Russian Federation" should be used in the place of the name "The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics". The Russian Federation remains responsible in full for all rights and obligations of the USSR in the IAEA, including the financial obligations.

The present note constitutes credentials to represent the Russian Federation in the IAEA organs for all those currently possessing the credentials of the representatives of the USSR in the IAEA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to present to the Director General of the IAEA the assurances of its highest consideration.

26 December 1991

INFCIRC/397
Attachment 2

Moscow, 24 December 1991

I have the honour to inform you that the membership of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United Nations, including the Security Council and all other organs and organizations of the United Nations system, is being continued by the Russian Federation (RSFSR) with the support of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In this connection, I request that the name "the Russian Federation" should be used in the United Nations in place of the name "the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics".

The Russian Federation maintains full responsibility for all the rights and obligations of the USSR under the Charter of the United Nations, including the financial obligations.

I request you to consider this letter as confirmation of the credentials to represent the Russian Federation in the United Nations organs for all the persons currently holding the credentials of representatives of the USSR to the United Nations.

Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

(signed)
B. Yeltsin