123 Agreement in full conformity with Hyde Act: CPI(M)

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The CPI(M) today said the Presidential Determination on Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation made it amply clear that the terms of the 123 Agreement were fully in conformity with the Hyde Act and violated the crucial commitments made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament.

The party in a statement here said that time had come for the Union Government to repudiate the 123 Agreement, which was not in India's national interest. The Government had no other option as the argument that India has a different interpretation of the 123 Agreement was meaningless. The US as a supplier of nuclear equipment and materials will undertake such supply only under the terms of what it called a ''favourable agreement''. A different interpretation of the 123 Agreement by India would in no way bind the US as a supplier, the party asserted.

The statement said the Left parties had repeatedly pointed out the provisions of the 123 Agreement, which were inimical to India's interests.

The Prime Minister had made a solemn commitment earlier this year in Parliament on March 7, that India would place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in perpetuity only on the basis of strict reciprocity vis-a-vis the US guaranteeing uninterrupted fuel supply in perpetuity. In case the US defaulted on its fuel supply agreement, it would ensure that other members of the NSG would take over its obligation but US President George Bush had made it clear that the fuel supply assurance in the 123 Agreement was not legally binding.

This categorical denial of any legally binding fuel supply assurance in the 123 Agreement by the US President was accompanied by a specific observation contained in the Report pursuant to section 104(c) of the Hyde Act Regarding Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India accompanying the Presidential Determination, the statement added.

UNI/BKS PK KP1521