VIENNA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese and a South African would compete to be the director general of Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said an IAEA press release issued on Friday.

The press release confirmed that Japan has nominated Ambassador Yukiya Amano and South Africa has nominated Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty before the closing date for nominations on Dec. 31, 2008. Both candidates were representing their countries in the last IAEA Board of Governors.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei's term of office will expire on Nov. 30, 2009. He has served the post since 1997, and has stated that he is not available for fourth four-year term. ElBaradei and the IAEA won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in applying nuclear energy for non-military purposes.

According to IAEA press release, the 35-member IAEA board intends to make an appointment by June 2009. The appointment will then be submitted for approval at the IAEA General Conference in September 2009.
关键字:英语国际新闻
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