IAEA postpones decision on ElBaradei reappointment after US voices opposition News
IAEA postpones decision on ElBaradei reappointment after US voices opposition

[JURIST] The United States Wednesday formally indicated its opposition to the reappointment of International Atomic Energy Agency [official website] head Mohamed ElBaradei [official profile] to a third term, citing his stances on Iran's nuclear program and nuclear inspections in Iraq prior to the March 2003 war. In the wake of the US announcement the IAEA Board decided to postpone its vote on the reappointment until June in the interests of avoiding a showdown over the issue. The US appears to be the only member of the 35 nation body opposed to ElBaradei [JURIST report], but US diplomats say that the delay gives them time to solicit additional support to block his candidacy. At this stage the US has not been able to find another candidate to put forward as a replacement. AP has more.