Re-negotiate Nuke Deal with US, CPM tells govt

New Delhi, Dec 11: The CPI(M) today demanded that the Manmohan Singh government "re-negotiate" the Indo-US nuke deal, passed by the US Congress saying it was not in conformity with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurances and warned that it would ''undermine the pursuit of the country's independent foreign policy.''

Also demanding a full fledged debate in Parliament on the nuclear issue, the Left party made it clear that nothing short of the assurances made by Dr Manmohan Singh on August 17,2006 was "acceptable." At a press conference, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said his party after examining the legislation including the annexures adopted by the US Congress, had firmed up the view that the Congress-led coalition had to talk to the US administration that the final version is not in consonance with the terms of the July, 2005 Agreement.

He stated that the CPI(M) did not blame the Manmohan Singh government but" differed" with the US law. The party wanted Dr Singh to explain on the floor of Parliament on how the law adopted by the US Congress was in consonance with what the PM had said in the Rajya Sabha on August 17,2005.

"We should also raise with the Bush administraiton that the final Act contains provisions of imposing restrictions and trade regimes barring access to dual use nuclear technology thus denying India nuclear fuel cycle," Mr Karat said.

In response to a specific query why the CPI(M) could not talk to the US government directly, Mr Karat quipped," we are not in the government.' To another question he made it clear that the CPI(M) is emphasising that the US law does not favour India. It simply bound India to the US strategic interests.

Elaborating, he said the annual good conduct certification by the US president remained. Further more there are nine references to India's role being one of support and complicity with the US designs on Iran.

"The Act talks of India's foreign policy being' congruent' to that of the US," the CPI(M) top leader said adding that instead of an India- specific additional protocol with the IAEA the US Act called for a modified additional protocol meant for non- nuclear weapon countries.

Once again the goal posts had been shifted, he said adding that the US Congress had not taken in any substantial or serious manner the assurances given by the PM, be it concerning full civilian nuclear cooperation, principle of reciprocity, India as a state possing advanced nuclear technology among others.

To a question whether the BJP and the CPI(M) had the same viewpoint on the Act as the former had also rejected it, Mr Karat, recalling the saffron party's statement yesterday, stressed that" You please see the difference for yourself." " Besides the treaty is in perpetuity... It has been cleared by the lame duck, the outgoing US Congress. Next time if there is a Democrat government, you will find screws tight on India," he added.

UNI

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