Top IAEA inspector Heinonen resigns
Source: Agencies |
July 2, 2010, Friday
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THE United Nations nuclear agency said yesterday its top inspector Olli Heinonen, head of investigations into Iran and Syria, has resigned for personal reasons after nearly 30 years at the Vienna-based organization.
Heinonen, 63, is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards department which verifies that countries' nuclear programs are not being diverted for military use. He is the agency's leading Iran expert.
A no-nonsense Finn, he is probably best known for giving a presentation to diplomats on Iran in 2008 which indicated links between projects to process uranium, test explosives and modify a missile cone in a way suitable for a nuclear warhead.
"He has been indefatigable in his pursuit of the truth behind Iran's nuclear program. He is one of the agency's most experienced, knowledgeable inspectors," said Mark Fitzpatrick at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"Of course, he's only part of a team of many good inspectors and the agency's work in Iran will not grind to a halt."
The IAEA said his position will be filled soon. One of his deputies is Herman Nackaerts who oversees Iran inspections and holds the position Heinonen had before he was promoted.
Diplomats said new IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano, who took charge last December, had said in private there would be changes in the agency's top staff.
Heinonen, a low-key technical expert, has been head of safeguards since 2005 and was widely seen as a trusted aide of Amano's predecessor Mohamed ElBaradei.
Heinonen, 63, is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards department which verifies that countries' nuclear programs are not being diverted for military use. He is the agency's leading Iran expert.
A no-nonsense Finn, he is probably best known for giving a presentation to diplomats on Iran in 2008 which indicated links between projects to process uranium, test explosives and modify a missile cone in a way suitable for a nuclear warhead.
"He has been indefatigable in his pursuit of the truth behind Iran's nuclear program. He is one of the agency's most experienced, knowledgeable inspectors," said Mark Fitzpatrick at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"Of course, he's only part of a team of many good inspectors and the agency's work in Iran will not grind to a halt."
The IAEA said his position will be filled soon. One of his deputies is Herman Nackaerts who oversees Iran inspections and holds the position Heinonen had before he was promoted.
Diplomats said new IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano, who took charge last December, had said in private there would be changes in the agency's top staff.
Heinonen, a low-key technical expert, has been head of safeguards since 2005 and was widely seen as a trusted aide of Amano's predecessor Mohamed ElBaradei.
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