ID :
14630
Sat, 08/02/2008 - 09:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14630
The shortlink copeid
IAEA meeting begins, "smooth" passage expected
Lalitha Vaidyanathan Vienna, Aug 2 (PTI) The UN atomic watchdog's board of governors met here Friday to decide the fate of a safeguards agreement with India, a key step for the operationalisation ofthe landmark Indo-US nuclear deal.
The meeting of the 35 members of the International Atomic Energy Agency began shortly after 8:30 a.m. GMT and sources said that a "smooth passage" of the safeguards agreement that will open up India's nuclear facilities to the inspections bythe watchdog is expected.
With the hectic lobbying by US and India in the run up to the meeting, IAEA sources said the safeguards text is expected to be approved by a consensus but in the highly unlikely event of a vote, China as well as its ally Pakistanmay well abstain.
The crucial one-day meeting will see statements delivered by the Indian and US Ambassadors to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as by the nuclear watchdog'sDirector General Mohamed ElBaradei.
India needs the IAEA agreement and a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), comprising 45 countries that export nuclear fuel and technology, before the deal can go tothe US Congress for ratification.
Though Pakistan has been voicing its opposition, the nudging by the US not to block the approval or seek amendments and the overall "positive" feeling about theagreement may force it to relent, sources said.
US Ambassador to the IAEA Gregory L. Schulte said the pact was sound. PTI LV
The meeting of the 35 members of the International Atomic Energy Agency began shortly after 8:30 a.m. GMT and sources said that a "smooth passage" of the safeguards agreement that will open up India's nuclear facilities to the inspections bythe watchdog is expected.
With the hectic lobbying by US and India in the run up to the meeting, IAEA sources said the safeguards text is expected to be approved by a consensus but in the highly unlikely event of a vote, China as well as its ally Pakistanmay well abstain.
The crucial one-day meeting will see statements delivered by the Indian and US Ambassadors to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as by the nuclear watchdog'sDirector General Mohamed ElBaradei.
India needs the IAEA agreement and a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), comprising 45 countries that export nuclear fuel and technology, before the deal can go tothe US Congress for ratification.
Though Pakistan has been voicing its opposition, the nudging by the US not to block the approval or seek amendments and the overall "positive" feeling about theagreement may force it to relent, sources said.
US Ambassador to the IAEA Gregory L. Schulte said the pact was sound. PTI LV
