UN IAEA's El-Baradei may resign if US attacks Iraq without UN mandate

AFX News ^ | February 23, 2003

[HAL9000]

HAMBURG (AFX) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Mohammed El-Baradei said he cannot rule out resigning his position as a chief United Nations weapons inspector if the US attacks Iraq without a UN mandate.

In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine to be published tomorrow, El-Baradei said he can imagine personal consequences for him in such an event.

Asked about the possibility of resigning in such circumstances, El-Baradei replied he does not want to "rule anything out", Spiegel reported.

El-Baradei said he believes there is still a chance for peace, but conceded that time for a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis is running out.

As long as the inspectors can report progress, however, El-Baradei said he sees no reason why they should stop their work.

Meanwhile, El-Baradei said North Korea should also be forced to disarm. North Korea could produce several atomic bombs within six months, he warned, and should not be treated any differently from Iraq.

[Semper Paratus]

Don't let the door hit you in the ......

[donmeaker]

I think it would be wonderful if he would resign. Also if Blix would resign. Also if the United States would pull out of the UN. Also if the UN had to go find a nice place where they could hold their debates in security and freedom, like Havana, or one of the AIDS ridden African countries.

A second?

All those for moving the headquarters of the UN to Ghana, raise their hands!

[putupon]

Does this supposed to mean anything? I suspect all the inspectors resign or at least take a leave of absence when we attack unless they want to hang around Bahgdad and be a human shield or something.

[FryingPan101]

" Mohammed El-Baradei said he cannot rule out resigning his position as a chief United Nations weapons inspector if the US attacks Iraq without a UN mandate."

And....uh... refresh my memory if you will. This resignation would make a difference to the world in what way?

[Cicero]

Pity, in a way. With Libya in charge of human rights, Iraq in charge of weapons inspections, and France and China casting their vetoes in the Security Council, it's a graphic illustration of what's wrong with the UN.

All this not too long after the United States was kicked out of the Human Rights Commission in favor of the Arab slavers in Sudan.

[goodnesswins]

And...WHO (that matters) cares?

[goodnesswins]

By the way...I heard Iraq decided to "uninvite" itself from being in charge of the "disarmament committee"....bad PR at this time.

[SwinneySwitch]

"El-Baradei replied he does not want to "rule anything out"

That would also include NOT resigning!

I don't think North Korea wants any UN inspectors crashing their party, El!

[madrastex]

Shoot!

[CatoRenasci]

And, this should concern us because.....?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I'm looking forward to the mad dash to the airport when the inspectors begin to panic.

I'm sure the new SUVs and helicopters will be left behind.

[MEG33]

"He can imagine personal consequences........?" Loss of income,beheading,? I don't get it.

[jwfiv]

I think we oughtta chuck the goofy lookin' bastard right now...

[kesg]

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Mohammed El-Baradei said he cannot rule out resigning his position as a chief United Nations weapons inspector if the US attacks Iraq without a UN mandate.

If he made this statement, he should be fired. He clearly has a dog in this fight, a fact which destroys his credibility.

[tet68]

Every clod has a silver lining.

[FredZarguna]

In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine to be published tomorrow, El-Baradei said he can imagine personal consequences for him in such an event.

Off the record, the IAEA chief said, "I would need to get a real job, which could be a problem insofar as I'm only really qualified to make comments on fairly obvious criminal actions, and propose that nothing be done about them. Is there much money in that kind of work? Outside of the UN, I mean?"

El-Baradei's previous employment consisted of firing vintage Soviet-made weapons into the air on special occasions, a career he found "rewarding, but not as lucrative as those paid for by US taxpayers for various international debating societies."

[Vermont Lt]

Ah, duh.

There wont be anything left to inspect. However, if I were him, I would wait for the severence packages to be presented. You know, its always best to know you are going to lose your job rather than quit when the takever is announced.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Don't throw us in that briar patch..."

[swheats]

One monkey won't stop this show. He might want to leave before the bombing starts.