US wants ElBaradei gone

2005-02-09 15:06

Vienna - The United States is seeking backing from allies in a possible bid to oust the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency perhaps as early as at the end of the month, diplomats and officials said on Wednesday.

The diplomats and officials from Western governments, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said that Washington will ratchet up the pressure on Iran for allegedly trying to make nuclear weapons at the same February 28 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency that could see a showdown over IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.

US frustrations are at the core of both moves. Washington considers IAEA head Mohammed ElBaradei too soft on Iran and its alleged plans to make nuclear arms and the international community ineffective in dealing with the same perceived threat.

No US comment was available for Washington's strategies for the upcoming IAEA board of governors meeting.

But several diplomats and government officials from IAEA member countries dismissed recent reports that the United States had given up attempts to unseat ElBaradei because of lack of support from other countries.

"They've been lobbying, and close friends have given them a good reception," said one of the sources familiar with the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Another said US Undersecretary of State John Bolton and other senior US State Department officials "were still lobbying the capitals, telling them it?s the way to go."

- AP