POINT COUNTERPOINT

WHY THE LEFT OPPOSES THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL &

WHAT THE GOVY. SAYS

LEFT: The Hyde Act passed by the US congress implies India will be bound into a strategic alliance with the US. This has on adverse consequence for an independent foreign policy, sovereignty and the economic interest of the people.

Annual certification by the President of Us is part of the Hyde Act. This means the US President will have to give a “good conduct” certificate to India before the US fulfills its side of the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. This means the agreement could be terminated in any ground ranging from Iran to climate change to Afghanistan.

GOVERNMENT: President Bush has said he views the clause to which the left parties refer or purely advisory. In any case, this is a US law doesn’t apply to India.

LEFT: under the Hyde Act if this agreement is terminated the US will not help India tide over the “disruption” but will have to work with the 45 Countries in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) countries to stop all supplies.

GOVERNMENT: the 123 Agreement states the US will help India get nuclear fuel from other NSG supplies if the Agreement breaks down (that if India tests) even then multi-layered consultation and extenuating circumstance like a neighbor testing are built into the 123.

LEFT: it is now clear that full access to technology for the fuel cycle will not be available to India. The Prime Minster has essentially confirmed this. The only concession secured is a forward looking language.

GOVERNMENT: something are always left purposely vague in International agreements.

LEFT: the Prime Minster has emphasized the gains made with regard to the right to reprocess spent US fuel. However this is only a national right.

GOVERNMENT: if only you know how much we had to fight for this.

LEFT: given that a majority in parliament does not support the nuclear Co-operation deal, the Govt. should not proceed with the agreement.

GOVERNMENT: International agreements are not subjected to parliamentary ratification. The cabinet committee on Political Affairs has Okayed. We brought it to parliament as a matter of courtesy.

WHAT AND WHEN THE NEXT STEP IN THE DEAL:

# Negations for the safeguards agreement with IAEA must end before November 22 meeting of the IAEA’s Board of government.

# With board approved, before years end, US goes to 46member, NSG on India’s behalf seeking unconditional exemption.

# After NSG waiver between January and February Bush sends 123 Agreement back to US congress for up and down vote.

In other words: if current tensions hadn’t been there deal signed, sealed any time between January and March 2008.

Even after left withdrew the support PM is continue the process...