Weapons experts warn US lawmakers on Indian nuclear deal

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/June/theworld_June617.xml§ion=theworld

WASHINGTON - Arms experts cautioned US lawmakers on Tuesday against backing a civilian nuclear deal with India that they said violated a global atomic agreement and dampened efforts to reign in nuclear renegades Iran and North Korea.

“The main point is that our strategic interest dictates that we should not discard our nonproliferation policy and our Treaty obligations,” the experts said in a joint letter, citing the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“To do so would only enfeeble our case against NPT violators,” the 10 experts said, referring to Iran and North Korea.

By paving the way for the United States and other nuclear supplier states to provide nuclear fuel to India, the deal would free up the Asian giant’s “limited domestic nuclear fuel making capacity to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium for weapons,” they said.

[fasttense]

1. But we get Mangoes in exchange. Don't you just love free trade? n/t