The next head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday the organization should be seen as more than a watchdog for prevention of nuclear proliferation, Reuters reported (see GSN, July 8).
Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano said the agency would continue to investigate potential proliferation, but that promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy was also a crucial component of its work.
"One of (its) weaknesses is that the IAEA is perceived as a nuclear watchdog," said Amano, who was chosen July 2 by the IAEA governing board to replace three-term Director General Mohamed ElBaradei this fall.
"That is not all it is. It is a dual objective organization. But it is not recognized, perceived as such. And that is one of the causes of mistrust and division" between developed nations at the agency and their poorer counterparts, the 62-year-old IAEA envoy told Reuters.
Developing states worry that the efforts to halt Iran's uranium enrichment program, even though it has not been proved to be aimed at weapons development, is a sign that wealthier states want to restrict access to nuclear technology. They are concerned that the agency is not doing everything possible to stem the perceived trend, according to Reuters.
"If I can make some contribution to changing the perception (of the IAEA mainly as a watchdog), it will be helpful in strengthening confidence in the agency," Amano said.
"That does not mean I will shy away from difficult, very serious issues like Iran or North Korea. I will do my utmost (to tackle them)," he added.
While Amano was seen as the preferred candidate of Western nations, he said it would be "completely mistaken" to believe he would greatly emphasize nonproliferation operations at their bidding.
"Saying this is priority No. 1 and this is priority No. 1is not my approach," he said. "Certainly (antiproliferation) safeguards is one of those matters of highest priority, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy."
Amano said he would push to have states approve the Additional Protocol to their IAEA safeguards agreement, which would give the agency greater authority in conducting nuclear inspections.
"Making it mandatory is not on the agenda now. It would be (politically) difficult," Amano said (Heinrich/Westall, Reuters, July 11).
Meanwhile, the Obama administration has chosen a veteran diplomat as the U.S. envoy to the agency, Agence France-Presse reported.
The Senate would have to approve the nomination of Glyn Davies, who has held a variety of diplomatic jobs, most recently serving as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, July 10).