US hopes for successful conclusion of nuke deal

Washington, Aug 22: The Bush Administration has expressed the hope that the on-going efforts of the United States and Indian would result in the successful conclusion of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

''The Indian Government is working their side. And we're committed to hopefully coming together and succeeding in this [endeavor],'' said, Gonzalo Gallegos, Director of Press Relations in the State Department.

Gallegos, who briefed the press yesterday, said, ''we're working with our Congress here to move towards this agreement and we will continue that effort.' ''We believe that this is an opportunity for India to have access to cheap low-cost electrical power and an opportunity for the people to have economic development beyond the capacities at this point. So we're working our side of the issue here,'' he said.

''we're having conversations to express the position of the Administration and this Department on why [we] believe this is an important initiative and why believe it should ultimately succeed,'' he informed.

Ouestion was asked in a press conference that ''you're not looking at renegotiating? Which in return Gallegos said '' No, I'm not looking to change any policy on that issue from this podium today.

The State Department spokesman parried questions relating to the controversy whether India has a right to conduct nuclear tests under the 123 agreement which seeks to give effect to the landmark nuclear deal that Washington and New Delhi had signed two years ago.

Gallegos scrupulously avoiding controversy that has of late been going on in New Delhi over the deal, said, ''my understanding is that the Indian Government is working through the issues internally.

Obviously, we would have no comment on that. That is an issue for them to decide.''

UNI