Nuclear watchdog elects Japanese diplomat as its leader

Publish Date: 07-02-2009 11:44 AM -0700

Yukiya Amano emerges the winner in a months-long competition against a South African rival to head the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is believed to agree with the U.S. stance on Iran.

After a months-long deadlock and half a dozen inconclusive votes, the world's atomic energy watchdog today elected as its leader a Japanese diplomat described as colorless by foes and competent by allies.