UN Nuclear Agency's Board Supports Another ElBaradei Term

The United Nations nuclear watchdog's board of governors will likely vote to give Director General Mohammed ElBaradei a third-term, against U.S. wishes, the head of the nuclear board said.

The Egyptian diplomat ElBaradei maintains ``strong and broad support'' among members, and his support as increased, said International Atomic Energy Agency chairwoman Ingrid Hall in a statement to the 35-member board. A decision to appoint ElBaradei, 62, to another 4-year term should come ``no later'' than June, she said.

``Consensus exists, but we're willing to allow more time,'' said Egypt's ambassador to the IAEA, Ramzi Ezzeldin, to reporters outside the meeting. He's ``quite confident'' that ElBaradei will be re-elected.

The U.S. opposes an additional term for ElBaradei. President George W. Bush's nominee to the United Nation's ambassadorship, John Bolton, said that directors should be limited to two terms. The previous two IAEA directors, Sweden's Hans Blix and Sigvard Eklund, served for four and five terms respectively.

The U.S. has also been critical of the IAEA under ElBaradei's leadership. At the board's last meeting in March, the U.S. State Department said the agency couldn't prove that Iran is using atomic technology for peaceful means.

``The IAEA is still not able to provide assurances that Iran is not pursuing clandestine activities at undeclared locations as it has been doing for years,'' U.S. Ambassador Jackie Sanders said March 2.

Iran, with the second highest level of oil reserves in the world, is the focus of UN deliberations because of its nuclear technology program.

The U.S. wants the IAEA to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, where it might face economic sanctions. Several European countries asked Iran last year to suspend uranium enrichment and to open up to tougher UN inspections in exchange for talks that could lead to greater trade.

The nuclear agency board met today after China and the G-77, a group of 77 developing countries, called the gathering to discuss ElBaradei's nomination. They'll formally vote whether to give the former New York University law professor, the only candidate for the post, another term on June 13 in Vienna.