Many Egyptians are waiting for Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to officially announce that he is running for president in the November 2011 presidential elections. This does not necessarily mean that ElBaradei is the long-awaited savior who will put an end to presidential inheritance, but the announcement will undoubtedly send ripples through the stagnant waters of political life in Egypt. Born in Cairo on 17 June 1934, Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei has become one of the most prominent Arab and international politicians since he won the Nobel Peace Prize. ElBaradei has taken part in several international political battles, where he was often at odds with international organizations and superpowers. He even defied the United States at a time when he saw the country as the ruler of the entire planet. Although opposed to his nomination to the IAEA at first, the US later changed its stance, and he won the gamble. Since his appointment as UN nuclear watchdog chief in December 1997, the agency has been faced with unprecedented nuclear conflicts; however, his political wisdom enabled him to defuse some of the situations, though he may have failed in other instances. During his second term, and specifically in September 2001, Iraq was accused of possessing nuclear weapons and was eventually invaded. ElBaradei did not hesitate to declare Iraq free of nuclear weapons; a declaration which openly defied the US and threatened his very position at the helm of the IAEA. But his tact and his well-grounded stand enabled him to defeat the overbearing US. In his farewell address before the United Nations General Assembly, ElBaradei criticized the US for invading Iraq, saying, "I will always lament the fact that a tragic war was launched in Iraq, which has cost the lives of possibly hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. This was done on the basis of a false pretext, without authorization from the Security Council." ElBaradei is passionate about law. He inherited his love for the study of law from his father – his role model. Even his daughter Laila studied law in England, again influenced by her father's passion. ElBaradei is a lawyer and a former chief of the bar syndicate, who obtained a bachelor's degree in law from Cairo University in 1962. In 1974, he obtained his degree in international law from the University of New York, as well as several honorary PhDs from other international universities and centers. Not only is ElBaradei an experienced international diplomat, but he is also an accomplished Egyptian diplomat as well. He started his diplomatic career in 1964, serving twice on Egypt's permanent mission to the UN in both New York and Geneva. In the period between 1974 and 1978, he worked as a consultant to the minister of foreign affairs. In 1980, he became a senior fellow of International Law at the UN's Institute for Training and Research, and from 1981 to 1987, he served as an adjunct professor of international law at the New York University School of Law. Through his career as a diplomat, an international employee and an academic, ElBaradei became well-versed in the issues of international peace and security. He also gave several lectures on international law and organizations, disarmament and on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. He also wrote several articles and books on these topics. In 1984, ElBaradei left the Foreign Ministry to join the IAEA. He says he did not leave due to a dispute, but rather was driven by a desire to expand his role. Rather than defending Egyptian interests alone, ElBaradei was looking to defend the interests of the entire world, and this international position would offer him the chance. The situation in this country is at its lowest point, said ElBaradei to media professional Mona el-Shazli, when asked about political life in Egypt today. More than 50 years after the revolution, the country is moving backwards, he added, calling for a new constitution that limits presidential terms and gives all political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, the chance to participate in political life. He also called for the implementation of a governmental system that is based on planning, participation of the people, respect for the law, freedom of the judiciary and economic opportunities that will contribute to society and eliminate poverty. It is necessary to draft a new constitution, ElBaradei said, one that strikes a balance between the different powers, because the current one suffers from a number of loopholes, such as the 50 per cent quota for workers and farmers in the People's Assembly. In his opinion, such an article is useless, because in the current stage, parliament should be composed of the elite of society who can develop a vision for the future. The people should choose who will represent them, without being limited to specific categories, he said. Regarding his future plans, after he finishes his post in November, ElBaradei said he will not nominate himself for a fourth term at the IAEA, but instead wants to engage in public reform efforts. He insisted he is not seeking any executive positions in Egypt upon his return. Once described by an Austrian magazine as the hope for reforming the management style at the IAEA, is ElBaradei Egypt's hope for reform today? Translated from the Arabic Edition.
