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Paris
27 March 2009
After two inconclusive votes, the International Atomic Energy Agency
has been unable to agree on a replacement for outgoing agency chief
Mohamed ElBaradei. The Vienna-based
nuclear watchdog has opened up the post to fresh candidates.
After
two voting sessions Thursday and Friday, the board members of the
International Atomic Energy Agency failed to drum up the two-thirds
majority for either of the two candidates for its top post - Japanese
ambassador to the agency, Yukiya Amano and rival Abdul Samad Minty of
South Africa.
The United States and western nations had
generally backed Amano, while representatives from developing nations
on the board endorsed Minty.
The board read out the results and their implications to reporters.
"We
consider, therefore, in accordance of the agreed procedure as outlined
in the document of 2008 of the board, the slate of candidates is
considered to have been wiped clean," said a board member. "Then, in
accordance with the rules, I will circulate a note Monday to invite
members of the agency to present new candidates."
That means the
race is wide open to replace Egyptian IAEA director general Mohamed
ElBaradei who leaves his post in November, after three terms at the
helm. Amano and Minty can also run again for the post. IAEA officials
want a replacement picked by June.
ElBaradei, 66,
has been an outspoken chief, who has not always seen eye to eye with
the United States, notably regarding Iran's nuclear program.
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