Nuclear separation plan conforms India-US July,05 deal: AEC Chairman

Mumbai, Mar 9 (UNI) Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr Anil Kakodar today said India's nuclear separation plan is in conformity with '' the letter and spirit '' of the July 18, 2005 deal with the United States and expressed the hope it will get the approval of the U S Congress.

Asked how tough the going will in the U S Congress, Dr Kakodar said '' We have gone by the letter and spirit of the July 18 (2005) statement and now it ( the seperation plan) is mutually agreed... I only hope that subsequent steps would happen and happen in a positive manner ''.

'' If it does not happen we are where are.... it will be business as usual... but I hope it will not happen,'' he added, in response to question at his first media conference held here a week after the signing of the deal between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush in New Delhi on March 2.

Dr Kakodar, however, declined to comment when asked how difficult it would be for Mr Bush to get the deal through the U S Congress, saying he would not answer any political questions. But then he again expressed the hope the seperation plan would pass through the US Congress.

UNI SA VD HT2005