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<H1>Newspaper: U.S. taps ElBaradei phone</H1>
<H3>A bid to oust head of nuclear watchdog agency, sources say</H3>
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<FONT size=1>Sunday, December 12, 2004 Posted: 12:14 PM EST (1714 GMT) </FONT><!-- /date --><BR></SPAN></FONT><B style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"></B></P>
<P><B style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Bush administration is
scrutinizing intercepted telephone conversations that International Atomic
Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei had with Iranian diplomats in search of
ammunition to oust him from his post, The Washington Post reported on
Sunday.</B></P></DIV>
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<P>The newspaper said it showed the lengths to which some in the administration
are going to try to replace a top international diplomat who questioned
Washington's actions in Iraq and on the Iran nuclear issue.</P>
<P>The report, sourced to three unnamed U.S. government officials, said the
intercepts had produced no evidence of nefarious conduct by ElBaradei.</P>
<P>However, it said some within the administration believe the conversations
show ElBaradei, the director general at the United Nation's nuclear watchdog
agency, lacks impartiality because he tried to help Iran to navigate a
diplomatic crisis over its nuclear programs.</P>
<P>Others say the transcripts exhibit standard telephone diplomacy, the Post
said.</P>
<P>A CIA spokesperson declined to comment on the Washington Post's account, as
did a spokeswoman for the State Department.</P>
<P>The United States accuses Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under
cover of its atomic energy program. Iran denies the charge.</P>
<P>While Tehran agreed to suspend uranium enrichment activities last month under
international pressure, it insists the suspension is temporary.</P>
<P>Diplomats say hard-liners in Washington think ElBaradei has not been tough
enough on Iran.</P>
<P>The Washington Post said the White House lacks clear international support to
block ElBaradei from winning a third term next summer. But it said several
senior policy makers, who had requested anonymity, said the White House was
searching for material to strengthen its case that ElBaradei should be
retired.</P>
<P>The newspaper also said the United States had been canvassing for possible
candidates to replace ElBaradei, but had yet to settle on one ahead of a
December 31 deadline.</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>