ID :
22468
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 10:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/22468
The shortlink copeid
Every single commitment in 123 agreement is binding: US
New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) The United States Thursday said "every single commitment" in the 123 agreement is binding but made it clear that Washington cannot "compel" American companies to offer technology or supply fuel or compel other governments to do things in a particular way.
U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford said the 123
agreement is expected to be signed by the two countries during
the visit of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to India
which is likely to take place in a few days.
"In the 123 agreement, which is going to be a law, every
single commitment is binding," an elated Mulford told
reporters hours after the deal crossed the last hurdle in the
form of Congressional nod.
He said the commitments under the 123 agreement have
been "preserved" in the Congressional process as no amendments
have been made to its content.
The envoy said the commitments in the 123 agreement will
be "faithfully honoured".
When referred to the riders sought to be attached to the
nuclear deal, Mulford said "if you have any specific
questions, you should refer to the 123 agreement."
At the same time, Mulford said the "U.S. cannot compel
U.S. commercial companies to do things like offer technology
or supply fuel."
"The U.S. cannot compel other governments to provide
services or to work in a particular way," the Ambassador said.
On the reprocessing issue, Mulford said the 123
agreement has a provision granting upfront reprocessing right
to India.
It, however, involves certain procedures and time-table,
he added, referring to the requirement of setting up a
dedicated reprocessing facility by India within a year.
On the enrichment and reprocessing (E.N.R.) technology,
the Ambassador said the U.S. laws prohibit such transfers to
any country, not specifically to India.
This law may be amended someday but right now it is
prohibited, he noted.
"But India doesn't need it (enrichment and reprocessing
technology). It has its own expertise," he said.
Pointing out that the U.S. is in favour of Nuclear
Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) putting a prohibition on transfer of
E.N.R. globally, he said there is a move afoot in the
45-nation grouping but no concensus on this has been achieved
so far.
The 123 agreement is expected to be signed by India and
the U.S. during the visit of Rice, who is likely to come here
on Saturday.
Rice is "expected here in the next few days", Mulford
said, adding there is a "high probability" of the 123
agreement being signed during the visit.
He said the two sides were working on the agenda for the
visit.
The 123 agreement may or may not be signed by President
George W. Bush into a law before the two countries ink it, the
ambassador said.
He hailed the Manmohan Singh government for its
endeavour to ensure realisation of the deal which was
initiated in July 2005.
"The India-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation agreement is
now a reality.... It is a very great day... It was a long and
very complex process. Complex in terms of technical aspects
and also politically complex," Mulford said. PTI AKK
U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford said the 123
agreement is expected to be signed by the two countries during
the visit of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to India
which is likely to take place in a few days.
"In the 123 agreement, which is going to be a law, every
single commitment is binding," an elated Mulford told
reporters hours after the deal crossed the last hurdle in the
form of Congressional nod.
He said the commitments under the 123 agreement have
been "preserved" in the Congressional process as no amendments
have been made to its content.
The envoy said the commitments in the 123 agreement will
be "faithfully honoured".
When referred to the riders sought to be attached to the
nuclear deal, Mulford said "if you have any specific
questions, you should refer to the 123 agreement."
At the same time, Mulford said the "U.S. cannot compel
U.S. commercial companies to do things like offer technology
or supply fuel."
"The U.S. cannot compel other governments to provide
services or to work in a particular way," the Ambassador said.
On the reprocessing issue, Mulford said the 123
agreement has a provision granting upfront reprocessing right
to India.
It, however, involves certain procedures and time-table,
he added, referring to the requirement of setting up a
dedicated reprocessing facility by India within a year.
On the enrichment and reprocessing (E.N.R.) technology,
the Ambassador said the U.S. laws prohibit such transfers to
any country, not specifically to India.
This law may be amended someday but right now it is
prohibited, he noted.
"But India doesn't need it (enrichment and reprocessing
technology). It has its own expertise," he said.
Pointing out that the U.S. is in favour of Nuclear
Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) putting a prohibition on transfer of
E.N.R. globally, he said there is a move afoot in the
45-nation grouping but no concensus on this has been achieved
so far.
The 123 agreement is expected to be signed by India and
the U.S. during the visit of Rice, who is likely to come here
on Saturday.
Rice is "expected here in the next few days", Mulford
said, adding there is a "high probability" of the 123
agreement being signed during the visit.
He said the two sides were working on the agenda for the
visit.
The 123 agreement may or may not be signed by President
George W. Bush into a law before the two countries ink it, the
ambassador said.
He hailed the Manmohan Singh government for its
endeavour to ensure realisation of the deal which was
initiated in July 2005.
"The India-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation agreement is
now a reality.... It is a very great day... It was a long and
very complex process. Complex in terms of technical aspects
and also politically complex," Mulford said. PTI AKK
