ID :
16719
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 23:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16719
The shortlink copeid
US hints at changes in draft NSG waiver
draft being considered by Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) to allow India to conduct nuclear trade may undergo some changes which would be discussed between the two countries to see whatcan be "accommodated".
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher, however, said nothing will be allowed to impede theIndo-US nuclear deal.
"I don't want to lie to you...I can't really lie. There might be some changes that we could accept. But we are pushing for a clean text", Boucher told reporters here as the 45-nation grouping held deliberations in Vienna on whether India should be given the exemption to conduct civil nucleartrade.
"The US and India will have to sit together and see what we can accommodate and what we can't. We will have to talk tothe other Governments involved", Boucher said.
"If you are making an exception... there has to be acertain logic to it", he said.
He did not specify as to what kind of changes would be made in the draft which was moved by the US at the N.S.G. meetThursday.
The draft has been finalised after tough negotiations between Washigton and New Delhi, which has been keen onensuring that no conditions are attached to the waiver.
"Most of the countries I talked to and most of the countries we are hearing from Vienna are positive. They understand the sort of importance in having cooperation withIndia", the US official said.
But "we need to listen to countries that have objections," he said apparently referring to the few nations, including Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand which have raised non-proliferation issues over the move to grant waiverto India despite it not being a signatory to the N.P.T.
Boucher, who will be in New Delhi on Monday to hold talks with India government officials, said, however, that "We won't allow anything that will impede (the Indo-US civilnuclear) deal".
"None of us wants to see anything that impedes (Indo-US)cooperation," Boucher said.
Contending that the Indo-US nuclear deal is good for India not just in terms of economic growth and energy but alsoin terms of India's relations with international community.
"It is a big deal for us and a big deal for India. Theball is in everybody's court", he said.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher, however, said nothing will be allowed to impede theIndo-US nuclear deal.
"I don't want to lie to you...I can't really lie. There might be some changes that we could accept. But we are pushing for a clean text", Boucher told reporters here as the 45-nation grouping held deliberations in Vienna on whether India should be given the exemption to conduct civil nucleartrade.
"The US and India will have to sit together and see what we can accommodate and what we can't. We will have to talk tothe other Governments involved", Boucher said.
"If you are making an exception... there has to be acertain logic to it", he said.
He did not specify as to what kind of changes would be made in the draft which was moved by the US at the N.S.G. meetThursday.
The draft has been finalised after tough negotiations between Washigton and New Delhi, which has been keen onensuring that no conditions are attached to the waiver.
"Most of the countries I talked to and most of the countries we are hearing from Vienna are positive. They understand the sort of importance in having cooperation withIndia", the US official said.
But "we need to listen to countries that have objections," he said apparently referring to the few nations, including Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand which have raised non-proliferation issues over the move to grant waiverto India despite it not being a signatory to the N.P.T.
Boucher, who will be in New Delhi on Monday to hold talks with India government officials, said, however, that "We won't allow anything that will impede (the Indo-US civilnuclear) deal".
"None of us wants to see anything that impedes (Indo-US)cooperation," Boucher said.
Contending that the Indo-US nuclear deal is good for India not just in terms of economic growth and energy but alsoin terms of India's relations with international community.
"It is a big deal for us and a big deal for India. Theball is in everybody's court", he said.
