Renegotiate 123 Agreement: Advani

In a move to cap any divergences in the BJP's view on the 123 Agreement and the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani gave what the BJP leaders termed "the definitive party view on the deal."

In a statement released after the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Advani denied that his remarks of not being anti-US were in any way a divergence from the party's view.

He said that his statement was reflective of the BJP's own opinion, especially that expressed by Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie.

"A suggestion has been made recently that, as the domestic laws of the US are the ones that are causing the problem, we should examine whether we can alter our laws, such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, in such a way as to insulate our strategic objectives," read the statement.

"If that can be done, we should strengthen our laws and on the basis of those altered laws, renegotiate the 123 Agreement," he told the party MPs.

He, however, insisted his recent comments on the issue were aimed at clarifying how the BJP's opposition to the accord stemmed from considerations of pure national interest and not from any kind of anti-Americanism.

"Each of the (BJP) statements has been fully deliberated upon and approved by the senior-most leaders of the party under the guidance and presence of Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said Advani.

He was referring to statements of party leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, who have been vociferously criticising the Hyde Act because they feel it is aimed at limiting India's nuclear options. In fact, Advani met Shourie and Sinha as well as Dr Murli Manohar Joshi yesterday to explain that his views were in keeping with the party's stand.

"These statements embody the party's considered view on every aspect of the deal. There is no change in that position," said the former deputy prime minister, a copy of whose address was circulated to reporters.

Advani said he had sought to emphasise in his comments in Hyderabad that the Hyde Act provisions militate against India's sovereignty, especially with regard to New Delhi's foreign policy.