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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Iran drops IAEA bid in favor of Syria |
| 2008-10-02 |
| Tehran has announced its decision to withdraw its nomination for a seat on the board of the UN nuclear watchdog in favor of "The move is an indication of Iran's support for the Middle East and South Asia group," Soltaniyeh told reporters in Vienna. The expiry of Pakistan's one-year term has given the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) group a right to fill a rotating board seat this year. Initial reports indicate that Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan were the four possible candidates for the seat. MESA has until the end of the general conference to reach a consensus on a single candidate. The 35 members of the IAEA board are annually elected by the agency's highest policy-making body, the General Conference. "We will continue our cooperation with the agency, but it is crucial that the body act according to its statute and chief activities," Soltaniyeh said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Another case of the fox guarding the henhouse as seems so common in UN agencies or is the sole criterion for IAEA membership that Israel has blown up one of your reactors? |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-10-02 14:12 |