Duty for IAEA changing, says ElBaradei

VIENNA, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The U.N. nuclear watchdog has moved beyond verification of nuclear material to assessing the entire nuclear program for nation states, officials said in Vienna.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the outdoing director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the verification regime for the nuclear watchdog has changed dramatically over the past two decades.

"We have moved beyond simple verification of declared nuclear material at declared facilities to assessing information on a state's entire nuclear program and, most importantly, verifying the absence of undeclared activities," he said.

He characterized the dual IAEA mandate of security and development as a unique one, adding the ability of the regime to detect clandestine activity depends in part on legal authority and funding.

"We are part of a complex web of international security mechanisms which need to work in harmony if we are to effectively serve the people who put their trust in us," he said.

He went on to say that with more than 20 countries expected to have nuclear programs within the next 50 years, the ability of the IAEA depends on the support of the world community.

His remarks came at the onset of a weeklong general conference in Vienna, where he congratulated his designated successor, Yukiya Amano.

"I trust that he will lead the agency with vision, impartiality and courage," ElBaradei concluded.