The United States is seeking backing from allies in a possible bid to oust the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency at a meeting later this month, diplomats and Western government officials said Wednesday. During the same Feb. 28 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Washington also will increase the pressure on Iran for allegedly trying to make nuclear weapons, the officials told The Associated Press. 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 U.S. 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 those familiar with the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another said U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton and other senior State Department officials ``were still lobbying the capitals.''
