Tokyo - Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano, who was chosen
Thursday to succeed Mohamed ElBaradei as head of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), enjoys the strong backing of his
government and industrialized countries.
Amano is to take up the post at the Vienna-based agency in
December amid fears from some quarters that his years of dedication
as a Japanese bureaucrat may interfere with his fair judgement.
The Amano, 62, who has a reputation for being gentle and sincere,
is renowned for his skill in resolve conflict and take into account
diverse views in seeking solutions, said Terumi Tanaka, director of
the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization
(Nihon Hidankyo).
'Attendees reputed Amano for that,' Tanaka told the German Press
Agency dpa, referring to Amano's performance as chairman of a 2007
preparatory meeting for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Review Conference.
In Vienna, where Amano works as permanent representative and
ambassador to the international organization, he is known as a
hardworking but not overly flexible diplomat.
He gained some experience dealing with the diverse group of IAEA
member states when he chaired the agency's board of governors in
2005-06.
Japanese citizens like Tanaka hope Amano will be firm in efforts
to prevent the spread of nuclear arms while representing the voices
of the people in the only country to have suffered devastation by
atomic bombs.
'As one of the atomic bomb survivors, I'd hope Amano would convey
our voices and reflect our hopes sufficiently in IAEA policies,'
Tanaka said.
He is not alone in being concerned whether Amano's tendency to
support the government's objectives, which are formed within the US
nuclear policy, will continue to influence him.
The technocrat, who has vowed to stick to the IAEA's technical
mandate of inspections and improve the organization's management, has
the backing of many industrialized nations on the agency's governing
board that elected him.
However, his support of a tough approach against Iran and Japan's
unwavering support of the US on this issue has given rise to
hesitation among other member states.
It was in part for this reason that a number of developing
countries backing his main rival, South African diplomat Abdul Minty,
blocked Amano's election for a number of months.
Unlike ElBaradei and Minty, Amano seems to regard the IAEA
directorship as less of a political position.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso singled Amano out for his 'long-
standing career in non-proliferation, nuclear energy and
disarmament.'
The Japanese nominee's background of service in the Foreign
Ministry since 1972 and in its disarmament division as a deputy
director 10 years later had helped him find a life's vocation.
'I could feel that I was doing something good and I also could
feel that I am useful for my government and that was a great
satisfaction for me,' Amano said.
In March, he told the IAEA board that he was well aware that
scientific advancement would cause catastrophe when used as a
destructive weapon.
'Technology, if employed properly, can facilitate and advance the
agency's activities in all areas, ranging from technical activities
to verification and even to management,' he said.
The key component to success is 'a better use of science and
technology,' he added.
USA
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