My work is done here...
International Atomic Energy Agency Director Mohamed El Baradei plans to leave office after his third term expires in November 2009, according to an IAEA memo released on Wednesday.
Is he taking his seeing eye dog with him, or will the UN need it for the next guy?
El Baradei who has presided over politically volatile IAEA investigations into nuclear activities of North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria since becoming director in 1997, "is not available for a further term in office", the memo said.
The 66-year-old Egyptian and the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 just months after the United States tried in vain to foil his election to a third term by the IAEA's 35-nation board of directors.
El Baradei, who has clashed with the United States and allies over alleged soft treatment of Iran, accusations he rejected, had been expected to leave at the end of his current mandate, diplomats accredited to the IAEA said.
I guess ya figure they got enough of a head start so you can hang it up, huh, Mo?
The IAEA memo, sent to IAEA board members on Friday, said the deadline for nominations of candidates to succeed El Baradei was Dec. 31, and informal consultations would ensue in search of board agreement on the next agency director.
So long, Mo. Don't let the door...well, you know.