US Secretary of State Colin Powell has called the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency in a bid to soothe tensions between Washington and the UN agency over Libya, diplomats said here yesterday. âSecretary Powell has called (IAEA chief Mohamed) ElBaradei. They have spoken,â a Western diplomat said.
"Lookee here, Mohamed: BACK OFF!" | âEveryone is making an effort to be more civil. It is in everybodyâs interest to ratchet the rhetoric down a notch,â he said. Another source said the conversation between El-Baradei and Powell, which took place this week, was âa constructive discussion with regard to El-Baradeiâs tripâ to Libya. âThey were trying to make sure they understand each otherâs positions.â Tension has arisen between Washington and El-Baradei since IAEA staff began inspecting Libyan nuclear sites last weekend, just eight days after Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi renounced weapons of mass destruction.
He didn't renounce them to Mohamed, did he? And if he goes back on his word, it's not Mohamed who's going to thump him. Quite the opposite, in fact. |
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