close_game
close_game

Bush takes sting out of US N-law

None | ByPramit Pal Chaudhuri and Manoj Joshi, New York/new Delhi
Dec 20, 2006 10:24 AM IST

He says Section 103 statements will be construed as advisory, report Pramit Pal Chaudhuri and Manoj Joshi.

After signing the document that turned the US-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 into law on Monday, US President George W Bush issued a statement saying, "The Act will strengthen the strategic relationship between the US and India, and deliver valuable benefits to both nations." About the Act’s controversial Section 103, he said, significantly, "The executive branch shall construe such policy statements as advisory."

HT Image
HT Image

That section says the US should try to work with other Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) members to deny India enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water technology. It has several provisions which New Delhi is not particularly happy about.

On Indian concerns
*Section 103 of the Hyde Act has several provisions which Delhi is unhappy about

*Bush has indicated that the provisions are not binding, only advisory

Its sub-section a (6) called on the US to prevent the transfer of nuclear equipment and materials from other NSG members, if India fell afoul of the US law. This was seen as putting a serious question mark on the US ability to fulfil the fuel-supply assurances under the July 18, 2005 agreement.

But Bush's statement sought to allay such fears. "My approval of the act does not constitute my adoption of the statements of policy [of Section 103] as US foreign policy," he said.

The statement also added, "Section 104(d) (2) prohibiting the US from exporting an item contrary to the NSG guidelines would not bind the Administration, and (would) also be treated as an advisory." This was because there was "a serious question" as to whether the provision "unconstitutionally gave legislative power to an international body".

Signed statements may not have the force of law, but they do make clear the way the administration plans to implement a particular act.

Monday's statement is important because it will be Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who will issue instructions to the officials who will negotiate the '123 Agreement' with India to operationalise the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Another section in the Act calls on India to align its export-control laws to those of the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement - for chemical and conventional weapons export, respectively - bodies of which India is not a member. Subsection (b)4 of this clause seeks to secure India's participation in efforts to contain Iran.

Get Current Updates on...
See more
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News and Top Headlines from India.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Monday, December 09, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On