Iran nuclear impasse could hurt US-India atomic deal

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/January/theworld_January309.xml§ion=theworld

WASHINGTON - A landmark US-Indian nuclear cooperation deal could be hampered by India’s reluctance to refer Iran’s nuclear program to the UN Security Council and to open enough of its own atomic facilities to inspection, US officials and experts said on Friday.

Both issues will be discussed when Undersecretary of State R. Nicholas Burns visits New Delhi for talks on Jan. 19.

Bush, in a controversial policy shift last July 18, promised nuclear-armed India full cooperation in developing its civilian atomic power industry in return for New Delhi’s commitment to international nonproliferation standards.

The deal, which would lift a 30-year ban on nuclear commerce between the two countries, must be approved by the US Congress. The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Groups is also being asked to change its rules.

[oblivious]

1. India would be crazy to refer Iran to the SC.

Now Iran is working within the NPT, and all work is under the supervision of the IAEA to ensure it is for peaceful purposes. It Iran's program is referred to the SC, Iran has said it will end all cooperation with the IAEA and the international community. No more snap inspections, etc. to make sure the program is for peaceful purposes only.

The US, Germany, France and the UK will have to take the blame for a peaceful transparent program going underground again.

Fools.