Re: [Marxism] India/US: 123 deal for nuclear energy approved

["Ruthless Critic of All that Exists" <ok.president+marxml@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 1:14 PM, David Walters <davidw@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Don't know all the details but it appears that the 1-2-3 deal for India
> to receive goods and services from the US dominated "Nuclear Suppliers
> Group" has gone through, per the 'late breaking news' on the BBC web stie:
>
> "A breakthrough comes in Vienna after three days of tough negotiations"
>
> "The BBC reports the group of nations which regulates the global nuclear
> trade has approved a US proposal to lift restrictions on selling nuclear
> technology to India. The controversial deal now needs to be ratified by
> the US Congress."

A friend who had been following the issue closely, had the following
comment about this:

----------

I am very happy, and pleasantly surprised, at the turn of events with the
Indian nuclear deal. The step-by-step process has been remarkable from the
point of view of those of us who want nuclear power but oppose nuclear
weapons: First, IAEA worked out certain commitments from India. Then, the
member states of NSG refused to provide a blanket waiver and forced a
second meeting. Third, Howard Berman, a US Congress member,
revealed a commitment from the US
state department that any bomb testing by India would lead to dire
consequences. Then, the Indian government reiterated its commitment to its
unilateral moratorium on testing. Finally, NSG granted India a waiver. The
PTI report I have below says in part:

> Diplomats said some changes were made to the revised draft
> of the waiver to assuage concerns of the sceptic countries
> but details were not available yet.

I wouldn't bet on these "changes" being insignificant. The Indian government
can say whatever it wants about its "clean" waiver, but the NSG approval is
clearly predicated on a commitment from India to refrain from any nuclear
bomb tests. This means that, if any future government - Congress, BJP or
Left - considers testing to further build up its nuclear arsenal, it
will know that
there will be serious consequences. The nuclear power sector, insignificant
now but expected to grow into a sector with a large capital investment, will be
in peril.

I have argued repeatedly that the development of a vibrant nuclear energy
sector, necessarily dependent on imported fuel, technology and plants, is the
best guarantee against nuclear weapons. Other opponents of nuclear
weapons, unfortunately influenced by people who oppose nuclear energy,
have cited the hypothetical ability to use domestic uranium more freely in
bomb-making, but they miss the far more significant role of the nuclear
power industry, with its huge investments and the large number of
consumers, which would be disrupted in a major way by any bomb tests.

The way to go forward is for opponents of nuclear weapons to come together
and demand that the nuclear power sector is overseen by a truly independent
agency that can ensure proper safety and also prevent any funny business
related to diversion for weapons use.

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