Saturday, 18 August, 2007

AAP

LABOR'S position on exporting uranium is contradictory, Prime Minister John Howard says.

The ALP has criticised the Government's in-principle agreement to sell uranium to India because the country is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

The exports to India will be subject to strict conditions, including guarantees uranium would only be used for power generation and regular inspections.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group will also have to approve the agreement.

Mr Howard said the safeguards are as strong as the NPT.

"I just find it extraordinary that the federal Labor party is saying it's okay to sell uranium to China (a signatory to the NPT), but it's not okay to sell uranium to the largest democracy in the world, which is India," Mr Howard said.

"I just find that an amazingly contradictory proposition.

"If you can get the same safeguards, why is it okay to sell to China but not okay to sell to democratic India which is the largest democracy in the world?"