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Washington: U S Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, one of the chief negotiators on the July 18, 2005 Indo- U.S. civilian nuclear deal, who was in New Delhi last month, has reportedly sounded out Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about making another trip over the next week or so, to sort out some of the difficult technicalities of the troubled accord before President George W Bush visits India next month. The deal, agreed in principle last July, would give India access to long-denied civilian nuclear technology, including fuel and reactors, and the failure to resolve serious differences would mar Bush's trip, officials and experts say. In exchange for access to the technology, India promised to separate its military and civilian nuclear facilities and open the civilian facilities to international inspection. India's powerful nuclear establishment has raised objections to a ''separation plan'' the Americans insist must put more facilities under international supervision. ''I think that's just the judgment that he and she have to make - - is this the right time for him to go,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. Central to the debate is India's fast breeder reactor program, which would process plutonium from spent fuel from India's existing heavy water reactors. The chief of India's Department of Atomic Energy Anil Kakodkar has complained that putting this program under international monitors would ''shackle'' his scientists and leave the country dependent on imported uranium. The landmark accord was agreed in principle last 18th July but negotiating the details has proven tougher than many officials and experts expected. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are both under domestic pressure to protect their respective interests. ''It's doubtful'' there will be a resolution of the issue before Bush visits New Delhi in March, a second US official working on the issue said. |
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