26 March 2009: Press TV
The IAEA Boards of Governors failed to find a successor to UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammed ElBaradei for the second time running.
After five rounds of inconclusive voting in the two-day election, neither Yukiya Amano of Japan nor Abdul Samad Minty of South Africa mustered the winning two-thirds majority needed for the director general appointment.
In the informal “yes, no or abstain” ballots held on Friday, the Western-backed Amano, managed to garner 22 "yes" votes, 12 "no".
Minty, who is a favorite among developing nations, managed to pocket 15 "yes" votes, 19 "no" with one abstention.
"We were hopeful that those that advocated change and a relationship with the developing world based on trust and partnership would - in this important election process - have implemented these noble ideas," he said, suggesting that Western nations had missed the chance to bridge the gap with developing nations.
The governors will reportedly open the field to new nominees over the next month, followed by another election, probably in May -- six months before incumbent IAEA chief steps down.
ElBaradei announced earlier in September that he plans to end his controversial headship without seeking a fourth term as IAEA director general.
During his 12-year reign over the UN nuclear watchdog, which was established to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, ElBaradei has sparked off a torrent of criticism from Washington and Tel Aviv, largely over Iran's nuclear program.
Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, however, praises the Egyptian's performance.
"ElBaradei will leave with his head high: right about Iraq, Nobel laureate fame not yet stale, North Korea's bomb not his fault and Iran not yet having crossed the red line to nuclear weapons," he suggests.
