Aus-India uranium deal hits roadblock

With Australian Prime Minister John Howard signalling a possible uranium deal with India, the anti-nuclear lobby has ratchet up pressure by vociferously opposing any such move.

Australian Opposition parties have been quick in taking a tough stand against Prime Minister John Howard for his 'recklessness.'

"A decision to back India in the suppliers group will undermine the Non Proliferation Treaty. It means the international safeguards regime will no longer be enforced, and Australia will have contributed to that process," Labour resources spokesman Chris Evans told The Age newspaper soon after the policy-bending statement of the Australian prime minister hit the airwaves.

Evan's statement has been backed by high-profile US anti-nuclear campaigner Kevin Kamps, who is touring Australia these days. Kamps has warned that uranium sale to India would signal the collapse of the NPT.

Kamps, who is considered a nuclear waste expert, is of the opinion that the Australian uranium could be used in Indian nuclear weapons.

Howard had publicly expressed his government's willingness to circumvent the Australian policy of not selling the crucial nuclear fuel to the non-signatories of Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"We see India as a very responsible country. The relationship between Australia and India is growing. It is a very important relationship. There will be considerations that we will bear in mind," Howard said.

The Australian prime minister's statement comes as India's top nuclear negotiator Shyam Saran is touring the South Pacific country to lobby for uranium sale to Indian power plants.

The Australian Greens Party has long been opposing any move to sell uranium to India and the Labour opposition to any such move comes at a crucial time when the Australian government is reported to be almost certain to dump its 'no new uranium mines' policy.

Australia, which has the largest uranium reserves in the world, currently allows only three uranium mines to produce and sell uranium to fuel power stations around the globe.

The resources-rich country has been sticking to this unique 'three uranium mines' policy, introduced by the Labour government in 1984, to oppose development of nuclear weapons.