Click to play videoWashington: Top US Senators accused the Bush administration of submitting an ambiguous draft of the Indo-US nuclear agreement to the Congress for approval. A group of senators said the administration must clarify key elements before a Congressional vote could take place.
In his opening statement Democratic senator Chris Dodd raised a concern shared by US Senators. How can the Bush administration guarantee that India will not use American fuel supplies to test a nuclear weapon and whether Washington can demand a return of its stock?
“US should have the right to acquire the return of any nuclear materials and equipments if India abrogates the safeguards agreement,“ says Senator Chris Dodd.
Some senators questioned Bush's commitments in case India tests. “Isn’t it true that by opening the door by providing nuclear supply to India we are freeing up local fuel supply for India's weapons programme,” says Senator Russ Feingold.
Top State Department official William Burns who testified at the agreement admitted that there was 'No Perfect' guarantee that India won't test. But he insisted that the Bush Administration believes that India will uphold its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing.
“Should India test as agreed not to do, or should India violate in any way the IAEA safeguards agreement, the deal from our point of view from that point onwards would be off,” says US Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Rood.
Senators also raised other controversial questions including whether other countries could continue fuel supplies to India even if Washington terminated its exports and India's growing military relationship with Iran.
However, other senators including Vice Presidential candidate, Joe Biden has expressed confidence in the deal and its approval in the US congress.
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