News

Malaysia said Wednesday it will
appoint a new envoy to the U.N. atomic agency in Vienna, but denied he
was being penalized for voting against a resolution censuring Iran over
its nuclear program.

Mohamad Arshad Hussain's two-year contract as
ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency will not be renewed
when it expires next month, Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay
said.

Mohamad Arshad was also elected chairman of the IAEA's board
of governors in September.

Pillay denied the decision was based
on Mohamad Arshad's controversial vote at an IAEA meeting Nov. 27,
saying it was part of government efforts to cultivate "new talents" for
diplomatic posts.

Malaysia together with Cuba and Venezuela voted
against a resolution demanding Iran freeze uranium enrichment. The IAEA
passed the resolution.

The Foreign Ministry recalled Mohamad
Arshad after the vote, ordering him to return to Malaysia "for
consultation" because "the voting was not in accordance with the
procedures of the government." He has since returned to Vienna.

Ministry
officials have declined to say how Mohamad Arshad should have voted.

The
United States and its allies in Europe suspect Iran is using civilian
work to mask an effort to develop a weapons capabili... >>>