US gunning for nuclear watchdog chief

The US is seeking backing from allies in a possible bid to oust the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency perhaps as early as at the end of the month, diplomats said today.

Sources also said that Washington will increase the pressure on Iran for allegedly trying to make nuclear weapons at the same meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency that could see a showdown over IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.

The meeting is due to held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna on February 28.

US frustrations are at the core of both moves. Washington considers 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 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.

Another said US Under-secretary of State John Bolton and other senior US State Department officials “were still lobbying the capitals, telling them its the way to go.”