Bush assures fuel supplies to India

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Oct 9 (PTI) Allaying India's fears on certain
provisions of the legislation on Indo-U.S. nuclear deal which
he signed into law, President George W. Bush has said there
are "no changes" in fuel supply commitments as provided in the
123 Agreement.

"This legislation does not change the fuel assurance
commitments that the U.S. government has made to the
Government of India as recorded in the 123 Agreement," Bush
said while signing the HR7081 bill into law Wednesday night,
paving the way for the two countries to finally ink the deal
Friday.

Bush's remarks came against the backdrop of concerns
expressed by India over the fuel supplies following his
Administration's assertion that the assurances were only
political commitments and not legally binding.

"The Agreement grants India advance consent to
reprocessing which will be brought into effect upon conclusion
of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing
facility under I.A.E.A. safeguards," Bush said.

Describing Bush's signing of the legislation into law a
"new beginning" in bilateral ties, Indian Ambassador to U.S.,
Ronen Sen, said New Delhi's concerns on certain provisions of
the bill have been addressed.

"Absolutely", remarked Sen when asked by reporters if the
President's address at the signing of the legislation met all
of India's concerns.

"I think the statement (of Bush) speaks for itself... all
concerns that have been expressed who fear the implications of
certain elements of the legislation. All those have been met,"
Sen said in response to a query on fuel supply assurances.

Earlier in the day, the State Department said External
Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice will formally sign the overall bilateral
nuclear cooperation accord tomorrow.

"...on Friday, at 4 o'clock (0130 hrs IST Saturday), the
Secretary will sign with the Indian Foreign Minister, Foreign
Minister Mukherjee, the India Civil Nuclear Agreement," State
Department Spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters hours
before Bush signed the legislation into law.

In a statement released by White House after the signing
ceremony, Bush described the passage of the bill by Congress
as a "milestone" in achieving the vision set by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and himself of transforming the bilateral ties.

"I am pleased to sign into law the United States-India
Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement
Act, which approves the U.S.-India 123 Agreement," he said.

Bush said this act will strengthen the bilateral
relationship and deliver valuable benefits to both nations.

"The legislation does not change the terms of the 123
Agreement as I submitted it to the Congress. That Agreement is
consistent with the Atomic Energy Act and other elements of
U.S. law.

"This legislation is important as it enables me to bring
the 123 Agreement into force and to accept on behalf of the
United States the obligations contained in the Agreement," he
said.

The passage of this legislation, Bush said, reflects the
common view of his administration and the Congress as to the
value of nuclear cooperation and is in the interest of both
the U.S. and India.

Bush inked the HR 7081, United States-India Nuclear
Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act
cleared by the U.S. Congress last week, reversing 34 years of
U.S. policy to eventually allow American businesses to have a
share of India's 100 billion dollar nuclear pie.

By undertaking new cooperation on civil nuclear energy,
India will be able to count on a reliable fuel supply for its
civilian reactors, Bush said in his speech during the signing
ceremony that was applauded on several occasions by the
distinguished gathering assembled at the White House's ornate
East Room.

Calling India and the U.S. natural partners, Bush said
New Delhi "will continue to build on its strong record of
responsibility in operating its nuclear facilities.

"And India and the United States will cooperate more
closely to keep the world's most dangerous weapons out of the
hands of extremists and terrorists."

"This agreement sends a signal to the world: Nations that
follow the path to democracy and responsible behaviour will
find a friend in the United States of America," Bush said.

Earlier welcoming the gathering that included a large
number of Indian American leaders who were instrumental in
pushing the accord in the U.S. Congress, Bush said he has the
"honour" of signing legislation "that builds on the growing
ties between the world's two largest democracies."

The President also expressed his appreciation for the
"hard work" put in by Secretary of State Rice, Energy
Secretary Sam Bodman and other members of his administration,
the Indian Ambassador and Congressional staffers as well as
the Indian American leaders.

Bush also mentioned that the First Lady Laura joined him
in sending the best wishes to the people of India who will be
celebrating Diwali.

Among the distinguished gathering present at the signing
ceremony were Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State
Rice, Energy Secretary Bodman, Senators Chris Dodd and
John Warner, Congressmen Joe Crowley and Elliot Engel and
Indian Ambassador Sen.