The Hindu : National : A staunch advocate of disarmament

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Thursday, Nov 20, 2008
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National

A staunch advocate of disarmament

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Mohamed ElBaradei, who was chosen to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2008, has been outspoken on nuclear proliferation and international security issues as Director-General of the IAEA in Vienna. He has led the IAEA in carving out an independent approach free from bias, reflective of a wider balanced perspective in tune with today’s world. In 2005, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the IAEA.

He has also made strenuous efforts to encourage the wider application of nuclear techniques and technologies in developing countries in a safe and secure manner.

His contributions thus straddle peace, disarmament and development, causes for which Indira Gandhi strove assiduously, Mr. Dubey said in a press release.

Dr. ElBaradei was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1942. He is a lawyer by training. He began his career in the Egyptian Diplomatic Service in 1964, serving in the United Nations both in New York and Geneva, where he dealt with political, legal and international security issues. Between 1974 and 1978, he was a Special Assistant to the Foreign Minister of Egypt.

Since then, he has participated in the activities of international organisations within and outside the United Nations system, and is the recipient of several international awards.

He has held his present position at the IAEA since 1997, having been re-appointed for a third term in September 2005.

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