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NUKE MATERIAL TRANSFER

Bush plans changing int'l rules for India

REUTERS, Washington
The Bush administration this week is expected to begin laying out in more detail its plans to change US and international rules so India can acquire restricted nuclear materials under a controversial deal some say undermines non-proliferation standards.
India improved its chances of having new rules approved when it voted with the United States and key European states last month to threaten Iran with referral to the UN Security Council for its nuclear activities.
But some members of the US Congress remain deeply concerned that the US-India deal, agreed in Washington on July 18, is too permissive and will advance, not stem, the spread of nuclear weapons.
There also are doubts about whether India, which has a burgeoning strategic relationship with Tehran, ultimately will vote to send Iran's case to the Security Council, where sanctions could be imposed.
Several experts and congressional sources said New Delhi has not made a commitment on that issue, which could come before the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors next month.
US officials are expected to present ideas for international rule changes when the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which seeks to control nuclear exports, meets in Vienna, beginning on Monday, US officials and experts said.
On Tuesday, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, lead negotiator on the India nuclear deal, will speak on US-India relations to the Asia Society in New York. He later travels to New Delhi for further negotiations with Indian officials.
For nearly 30 years the United States led the global fight to deny India's access to nuclear technology because it developed nuclear weapons and tested them.
India's programme lies outside the 1970 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which recognises only five nuclear weapons states -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- and requires other states to forsake such arms.
But on July 18, President George W Bush announced a new partnership and commitment to "work to achieve full energy cooperation with India," whose importance as an economic and geopolitical counterweight to China is growing.
The deal was a de facto acceptance of India's nuclear status and a promise to support India's acquisition of many banned items, including much-needed nuclear fuel.
But it first requires approval by the NSG and the US Congress, which permit nuclear exports to non-nuclear weapon states only if facilities are under "fullscope safeguards," including international monitoring of facilities. India does not meet those standards.
Experts and congressional sources said the administration seems inclined to ask the NSG for a specific exception for India.
But some countries would prefer a broad exception with criteria that other states could also aspire to meet, a European diplomat said.
Pakistan, which like India tested a nuclear weapon in 1998, has asked for similar treatment. The United States opposes this but experts predict China will use an India exception to justify new nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.
A European diplomat said most European governments expect "a way will be found to accommodate India" but this week's NSG meeting is unlikely to take a firm decision.
NSG decision-making usually is by consensus and while Britain, France and Russia are open to nuclear ties with India, some wonder how China will vote.
In Congress, there is broad support for better ties with India. But some lawmakers are considering tougher demands on India -- like a cut off of fissile material production -- as a condition of the nuclear deal going forward.
Congressional committees are planning at least two more hearings on the US-India deal in the next few weeks.
The United States and key European allies say Iran's nuclear programmes are aimed at producing weapons but Tehran insists it only wants to make peaceful energy.
The NSG meeting this week is also expected to discuss Iran.