Syria, Iran and Israel in focus at UN conference 
September 29, 2008
Gulf news
Original Source: https://mail.hudsonny.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Middle_East/10248577.html \t _blank http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Middle_East/10248577.html
Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference started on Monday with Syria, Iran and Israel in the spotlight. 

Syria and Iran are trying to get a seat on the UN nuclear watchdog board, while Israel is taking fire from Islamic countries for its nuclear programme. 

The IAEA's 145 member countries gathered in Vienna for the 52nd general conference, an annual meeting to draw up general policies on nuclear issues. 

Board members are designated and elected each year by the general conference. A seat is set to become free this year with the expiry of Pakistan's one-year term. 

Diplomats close to the IAEA said there are four possible candidates: Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.