US wants to move ahead with nuke deal

Washington, May 23: The Bush administration has reiterated its commitment to finalise the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, saying it is in the interest of all concerned. ''We all would like to see this arrangement be finalised. We do continue to believe it is in the best interests of the United States and India as well as global nonproliferation regimes,'' State Department Spokesman Tom Casey told mediapersons yesterday.

He, however, said the internal political considerations in India were still not resolved, which was for the Indian Government to do. ''But we continue to be hopeful, and we'd like to see it move forward'', he added. The question arose out of a reported statement of US Ambassador to India, David Mulford, that before President George Bush leaves office, the deal would be finalised.

Mr Casey, however, said he had not seen recent comments by Mr Mulford.

UNI