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Musharraf’s reaction to Indo-US deal ‘constructive’

Staff Report

WASHINGTON: President Pervez Musharraf’s reaction to the US-India nuclear deal has been described by a senior State Department official as “constructive” and “not overly problematic.”

The call by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Pakistani President on Tuesday suggests that Pakistan had not been informed of the US decision beforehand. The Pakistan embassy had no comment to offer and the Foreign Office has refrained from making a statement so far. Pakistan’s reticence can only then be interpreted as a sign of acceptance of a decision that is not likely to be popular with the Pakistani public.

Michael Krepon, founding president of the Stimson Centre told Daily Times, “The bottom line on the nuke coop deal: Good news for India. Bad news for proliferation.” The deal, if it goes through Congress, will bring about a major change in the international accords governing nuclear technology, essentially exempting India from longstanding requirements that only countries willing to forswear nuclear weapons may purchase or obtain civilian nuclear technology, equipment and fuel from the world’s major nuclear energy suppliers, according to a news analysis in the New York Times. India has never signed the Nonproliferation Treaty and never accepted inspections of its nuclear facilities. Under the accord, it will only open its civilian, not its military nuclear facilities to IAEA inspections. The report quotes a European diplomat as saying, “India has to implement what it committed itself to, and perhaps go even further.”

At the State Department on Tuesday afternoon, spokesman Adam Ereli said the State Department had been “on board” with regard to the Indian decision, adding that Secretary Rice “has been, very, very actively involved in and represents an important step forward not only in our bilateral relationship, but I think in our strategic relationship in the region.” He said the relationship with India had been transformed. He claimed that the decision “strengthens our mutual nonproliferation efforts.” He said the deal was not aimed at China but was “in recognition of the growing role that India, the growing influence of India, the growing power of India and the opportunity for working closely in developing a strategic partnership in ways that benefit both countries and frankly the international community as a whole.”

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