Posted on 03/02/2006 3:07:08 PM PST by flixxx
NEW DELHI (AP) - Reversing decades of U.S. policy, President Bush ushered India into the world's exclusive nuclear club Thursday with a landmark agreement to share nuclear reactors, fuel and expertise with this energy-starved nation in return for its acceptance of international safeguards.
Eight months in the making, the accord would end India's long isolation as a nuclear maverick that defied world appeals and developed nuclear weapons. India agreed to separate its tightly entwined nuclear industry - declaring 14 reactors as commercial facilities and eight as military - and to open the civilian side to international inspections for the first time.
The agreement must be approved by Congress, and Bush acknowledged that might be difficult because India still refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Do they have jackets?
Hopefully not a warm-up for Iran.
Ed Markey?
This guy, ashamedly, is my Rep. and any time he speaks out against something, it simply validates what a good idea it is.
He is an unabashed liberal who is owned by the most corrupt unions in the country.
Abandon nuclear weapons, China tells India
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1588632/posts
Interesting timing. I believe that strengthening Democratic India's nuclear capability is important, being neighbors to China and Pakistan, but how can you technically argue against Iran if India isn't willing to sign onto non-proliferation itself? This almost appears to be an admission of Iranian capability, and lowering the importance of non-proliferation treaties, neither of which are good.
I liked what the President had to say about this deal today. He said that the more Nuclear reactors in India, the more fossil fuels available to Americans.
We can't build any new Nukes here, so let's outsource them to India! Brilliant!
Besides, Iran has signed the NPT. IT is treaty-bound to not develop nukes. The treaty was signed by Iran itself.
India is not. India objected to the NPT right from day one, because it limits the number of nuclear powers to the five UN SC permanent members, China included.
WHy can't we build new nukes here ?
Construction of three new ones has begun in the past two months.
It is ingenious!!
"P!$$ off!" India tells China (or should, at any rate).
I really do not see that there is a direct relation between Iran and India. Vastly different societies and interaction with world affairs.
I think the President's stance makes complete sense and he has defended his position well.
I think India ushered itself into the Nuclear club.
India should say,
"In the matter of nuclear arms, we shall be more than pleased to follow your example China. If you wish us to disarm, lead the way."
Well, it's a fait accompli anyway. I'm glad that so far India and Pakistan have managed to not to blow up the subcontinent.
All I'm saying with regard to Iran is, hopefully the President won't be welcoming them into the Club too.
Sure, but India being awarded for bucking the system just as Iran is proposing to do now. And why isn't India willing to sign the treaty, if they have no plans to proliferate? That should be a minimum requirement for our assistance.
India and Bush could have won the day by using this opportunity to set an example, and having India sign the non proliferation treaty, and apologize for not signing it sooner. But this just puts our whole formal policy process in question, surprise anouncements like this that contradict our public policy.
This is great news!
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