IAEA appoints new head of inspections
14 September 2010
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has appointed Herman Nackaerts to replace Olli Heinonen as the head of its safeguards department, which verifies that nuclear materials within member states are not being diverted for military purposes. Nackaerts, a Belgian, formerly the deputy to Heinonen, currently oversees inspections in the Middle East region, including in Iran, as well as in South Asia and Africa. Heinonen resigned as deputy director general in charge of global nuclear safeguards in July for personal reasons. Nackaerts' appointment was announced by IAEA director general Yukiya Amano during a meeting of the agency's board of governors. Amano told the board, "Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities." He added, "I learned with great regret about Iran's decision to object to the designation of two inspectors who recently conducted inspections in Iran ... Iran's repeated objection to the designation of inspectors with experience in Iran's nuclear fuel cycle and facilities hampers the inspection process."