Scientists edgy about some clauses

INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL

Commenting on the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal, Indian nuclear scientists have said the issue of restraint on the use of enriched uranium in perpetuity had not been cleared.

Would this be part of the final law that President George Bush was going to sign?

If so, they said, India should review the deal. Given India's commitment to universal nuclear disarmament, it was pointless entering into an agreement that put restraints on India but not on the other nuclear powers of the world.

They also said the extent of verification had not been spelt out in the deal. India's nuclear programme had been indigenous and not externally developed.

Therefore, the extent of safeguards should not be intrusive. They also wondered whether the energy infrastructure was ready to absorb the gains of nuclear energy.

"Are we making an opening for indirect control of indigenous scientific research for illusory gains of nuclear energy?" they wondered. None of them was willing to be quoted.