07-28-2006, 03:10 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Scientists oppose US law on nuke deal </b>
Pioneer.com
PTI | New Delhi
India's top nuclear scientists on Thursday opposed the US law for implementing the nuclear deal between the two countries, which they say goes against the nation's interests and make it "subservient" to Washington.
Hours after the House of Representatives approved the Bill and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Parliament that India would not accept any provision beyond the July 18 agreement last year, they do not at all buy the Government's explanation that provisions of the US law were a matter between the President and the Congress.
<b>They say Washington's behaviour in its nuclear dealings with India in the past did not evoke confidence</b>.
The scientists, who were earlier part of the Indian nuclear establishment, say the deal of July 18, 2005, would be directly subject to the US legislation and will adversely affect India's nuclear programme and strategic interests because there are several provisions which go beyond the agreement.
The scientists discount repeated assurances of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament that India would not compromise on its nuclear rights, saying they were not convincing in the light of what was happening.
<b>Former Atomic Energy Commission chairman MR Srinivasan feels the provisions of the US law are "intrusive" and makes one feel that Washington is treating India as a "subservient entity" and not as a sovereign, responsible nuclear power. </b>
Former director of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and India's representative in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) AN Prasad says the US has already shifted the goalposts and does not treat India as an equal partner in the deal, a view strongly shared by A Gopalakrishnan, former chairman of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
<b>The scientists said the US was unilaterally imposing conditions in the law that went far beyond the agreements of July 18 last year and March 2 this year entered into between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pioneer.com
PTI | New Delhi
India's top nuclear scientists on Thursday opposed the US law for implementing the nuclear deal between the two countries, which they say goes against the nation's interests and make it "subservient" to Washington.
Hours after the House of Representatives approved the Bill and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Parliament that India would not accept any provision beyond the July 18 agreement last year, they do not at all buy the Government's explanation that provisions of the US law were a matter between the President and the Congress.
<b>They say Washington's behaviour in its nuclear dealings with India in the past did not evoke confidence</b>.
The scientists, who were earlier part of the Indian nuclear establishment, say the deal of July 18, 2005, would be directly subject to the US legislation and will adversely affect India's nuclear programme and strategic interests because there are several provisions which go beyond the agreement.
The scientists discount repeated assurances of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament that India would not compromise on its nuclear rights, saying they were not convincing in the light of what was happening.
<b>Former Atomic Energy Commission chairman MR Srinivasan feels the provisions of the US law are "intrusive" and makes one feel that Washington is treating India as a "subservient entity" and not as a sovereign, responsible nuclear power. </b>
Former director of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and India's representative in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) AN Prasad says the US has already shifted the goalposts and does not treat India as an equal partner in the deal, a view strongly shared by A Gopalakrishnan, former chairman of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
<b>The scientists said the US was unilaterally imposing conditions in the law that went far beyond the agreements of July 18 last year and March 2 this year entered into between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->