Indo-US nuclear deal:Bush issues first phase of certifications

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Oct 22 (PTI) United States President George
W. Bush has formally certified to the Congress that the 123
agreement with India is consistent with the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty.

Bush also made a commitment that his administration will
work with Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) members to restrict
enrichment/reprocessing technologies.

There are two phases of certification and the first phase
contains the two commitments to be done by the President
before exchange of the diplomatic note and entry into force of
the Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement.

In a Presidential determination of October 20, Bush has
sent a memorandum to his Secretary of State on the
certifications pursuant to the United States-India Nuclear
Cooperation Approval and Non Proliferation Enhancement Act.

"Pursuant to section 102(c) and section 204(a) of the
United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, I hereby certify the entry
into force and implementation of the United States-India
Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
pursuant to its terms is consistent with the obligation of the
United States under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce
India to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or
other nuclear explosive devices," Bush has said.

"It is the policy of the U.S. to work with members of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group, individually and collectively, to
agree to further restrict the transfers of equipment and
technology related to the enrichment of uranium and
reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel," he added.

"You are authorised and directed to publish this
determination in the Federal Register," the Presidential
Memorandum said.

The president notified his certifications in separate
letters to the Speaker of the House, the President of the
Senate, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I am pleased to transmit to the Congress the
certifications required under section 102(c) and section
204(a) of the 'United States-India Nuclear Cooperation
Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act,' (Public Law
110-369), and a Memorandum of Justification regarding those
certifications," Bush said. PTI SK
DEP