ElBaradei says Peace Prize a “shot in the arm”

By Francois Murphy

VIENNA, Oct 7 (Reuters) – U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed
ElBaradei said on Friday winning the Nobel Peace Prize would give him
and his agency a much-needed “shot in the arm” as they tackle nuclear
crises in Iran and North Korea.

He told reporters at the United Nations complex in Vienna that he was
surprised by the award but saw it as recognition of his agency’s work
and an encouragement to continue its efforts.

“The award sends a very strong message: ‘Keep doing what you are doing
— be impartial, act with integrity’, and that is what we intend to
do,” ElBaradei said after applause from U.N. staff.

“The advantage of having this recognition today, it will strengthen my
resolve.”

The 63-year-old Egyptian lawyer and the International Atomic Energy
Agency won the 2005 prize for their battle to stop states and
terrorists from acquiring the atom bomb and ensure safe civilian use
of nuclear energy.

“The fact that there is overwhelming public support for our work
definitely will help to resolve some of the major outstanding issues
we are facing today, including North Korea, including Iran and nuclear
disarmament.

“It is a responsibility but it is also a shot in the arm.”

SURPRISE

ElBaradei told reporters he had been certain he would not win, despite
being favoured, because he had not received the traditional advance
telephone call from the Nobel Committee. He only learnt of his win
while watching the televised ceremony.

“This came as an absolute surprise to me,” he said.

“I was watching television with my wife at 11 o’clock fully aware that
we did not make it because I did not get the call.

“And then I heard in Norwegian the (IAEA) and my name still in
Norwegian is the same, and I was just on my feet with my wife, hugging
and kissing and full of joy and full of pride,” he said.

The Nobel Committee said before the announcement it had tightened
secrecy after Reuters published the names of the 2003 and 2004 winners
before the official announcements.

ElBaradei, the first Egyptian winner since President Anwar Sadat in
1978, has faced criticism from many quarters, most recently from the
United States and Iran, over his efforts to investigate Tehran’s
nuclear programme.

Last month North Korea announced at the end of six-party talks that it
would scrap its nuclear arsenal in exchange for aid and security
guarantees from the United States, South Korea, Japan, China and
Russia. ElBaradei has said he hopes his agency’s inspectors can
return to the Stalinist state soon.

10/07/05 13:18 ET