http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=73c15d4dc3f088abAustralia rejects move to topple El Baradei
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AFP Tuesday 14th December, 2004
Australia said it had confidence in UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed El Baradei despite a report that close ally Washington has spied on him and wants Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to take over the job.
With El Baradei's second term as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief about to end, The Washington Post reported that US officials have listened in to telephone conversations between him and Iranian diplomats, seeking ammunition against him.
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The administration of President George W. Bush opposes a third term for El Baradei, regarding his stance on Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program as too soft, and wants to replace him with Downer, the newspaper said.
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The Egyptian diplomat, 62, has also earned the ire of Washington by questioning US intelligence on Iraq.
Interesting how Australia the Bush ally has gone strangely silent!!!