Bush and the bomb (Indian agreement 'disasterous' for proliferation)

[muriel_volestrangler]

Very cricitcal editorial in the UK Guardian:

Last-ditch nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union's big three did not go well yesterday, breaking up shortly after they began in Vienna. That was not surprising since there had been an impasse in negotiations for weeks now. But it was more than just an unfortunate coincidence that the session was held a day after George Bush, visiting New Delhi, struck a landmark deal allowing India to develop peaceful nuclear energy while staying outside the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), the world's most important legal barrier to the spread of nuclear weapons. This smacks of double standards that will make it hard to hold the line on this issue and gives some substance to the charge, voiced by an angry President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that opposition to Iran's nuclear ambitions - which he claims are peaceful - is politically motivated. Next week this potentially disastrous confrontation is likely to move to the UN security council.
...
Part of the rationale for the agreement is helping to reduce the dependence of India's booming economy on oil and thus cut greenhouse gas emissions. Another element is accepting a fait accompli which is likely to benefit a US nuclear industry that is keen to sell fuel and reactor components. The hard-fought terms means that 14 of India's 22 reactors will be placed under scrutiny; military ones will not. The military will also retain control of fast-breeder reactors, highly efficient producers of the plutonium needed for warheads - whose numbers could rise from an estimated 50 today to 300-400 in a decade. That is a stunning reversal after 30 years of efforts to deny India nuclear technology, including sanctions when it conducted a nuclear test in 1998.

The US has defended this volte-face in terms of realpolitik and shared values, while China (a "big five" nuclear power under the NPT) is clearly another key, common factor. In return, Washington has demanded Indian support for UN moves against Iran - causing problems from the Indian left and Muslims for prime minister Manmohan Singh. But above all else it is impossible to ignore the disastrous effect this deal is likely to have on global non-proliferation efforts. This is of a piece with other aspects of the US administration's cavalier approach to internationally agreed standards on legal issues or the environment. Mr Bush has been strongly criticised for failing to sell his policy and may face problems in Congress before the deal is approved.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,,1723276,00.html

[JDPriestly]

1. Bush is selling nuclear technology because he has nothing else

to sell. How sad for our country. Remember Chernobyl. It could happen here. It could happen in India. If it happened due to a failure in technology we exported, the reparations or damages would be devastating. This is the act of a desparate man.

[rodeodance]

4. but we get cheap mangoes

[intheozone]

2. I believe the whole deal with India

and the acceptance of the pipeline from Iran to India is being done to garner India and Pakistan's support (or at least a promise of no resistance to) our invasion of Iran. Bush wants to go into Iran and take it over like he did in Iraq. Stupid, I know, but the guys running the show apparently are delusional enough to think it can be done. So, deals are being made to remove opposition, that is the purpose of the whole trip. And, if we are controlling Iran, we would control the pipeline through Pakistan to India. It's all about controlling the middle east and the world's energy sources!

I am no expert and have no inside knowledge. My belief is just my gut feeling. I hope I am wrong but after what has gone on it the last 5 years, I'm betting I'm right.

I am not a religious person so I don't pray. BUT, if there is a higher being out there, here's hoping he/she can intervene and save us before this administration reaching the edge of the cliff and dives right the fuck over it! :scared: :scared: :scared:

[rodeodance]

3. Did Bush Blink? --allowed to produce unlimited quantites.......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2006/03/03/BL2006030300926_pf.html
Did Bush Blink?

By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Friday, March 3, 2006; 12:30 PM

In addition to all the predictable reactions (pro and con) to the landmark nuclear agreement reached in India yesterday, a powerful and unexpected new concern has emerged based on a last-minute concession by President Bush.

It appears that, to close the deal during his visit, Bush directed his negotiators to give in to India's demands that it be allowed to produce unlimited quantities of fissile material and amass as many nuclear weapons as it wants.
........

Critics have long denounced such an agreement, saying it would reward India for its rogue nuclear-weapons program and could encourage other nations to do likewise.

But now the criticisms may focus on this question: By enabling India to build an unlimited stockpile of nuclear weapons, would this agreement set off a new Asian arms race?

And here's another question: Were Bush and his aides so eager for some good headlines -- for a change -- that they gave away the store?
The Coverage more......

[tom_paine]

5. No, Bush didn't blink. His decision leads to more fear, more war,

more money for him and his friends, and who cares what the Filthy Little Nobodies of Imperial Amerika think.

The situation is chaos, and everything is wonderful...if you are an Imperial.

[many a good man]

6. Systematic destruction of the international legal system

The US didn't join the Intl Criminal Court so we're not war criminals; India didn't sign the NPT so they're free to proliferate.

Their real enemy is the Rule of Law.

[fedsron2us]

7. It seems plans for the end of the world party are well underway

and we are all going to receive an invitation to join in the fun.