Australia's Downer says 'no' to UN nuclear job

CANBERRA - Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today he had rejected a US request to stand as a candidate to head the UN nuclear watchdog because he was happy with his present job.

Downer said the United States, Australia's key ally, had approached him to run against International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Mohamed ElBaradei.

"I have not taken up the opportunity to demonstrate a great deal of interest in this job," Downer told reporters during a visit to Australia's northern neighbour Papua New Guinea.

"I am very happy with the job I have got," he said.

Officials from the United States and other countries have said privately that ElBaradei withheld information from the IAEA board of governors that could boost a US campaign to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for economic sanctions.

Washington accuses Iran of trying to make a nuclear bomb, but Tehran says its atomic programme is only for power generation.

ElBaradei says there is no clear proof Iran is seeking a nuclear bomb but has repeatedly said the jury was still out.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday US officials had been tapping ElBaradei's phone to intercept conversations with Iranian officials for evidence of mistakes that could be used to force his ouster.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Tuesday he did not want Downer, who will become Australia's longest serving foreign minister next week after 8-1/2 years in the job, to leave his post.

- REUTERS