PROFILE: Diplomatic Amano to assume IAEA top post

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.