Friday, 17 August, 2007

The West

Selling uranium to India could prompt New Delhi to use its own uranium for nuclear weapons, say the Australian Greens.

Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday night announced an in-principle agreement to export uranium to India, despite the country refusing to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Mr Howard said the exports would be subject to strict conditions, including guarantees that the uranium would only be used for generating electricity.

But Greens leader Bob Brown said the deal would lead to more nuclear weapons being created.

"The Indians have made it clear that this will free up their own uranium to go into nuclear weapons," Senator Brown told reporters.

"This is fostering, and will foster, tension with Pakistan. Pakistan now wants our uranium."

Deputy Labor Leader Julia Gillard said Labor was very concerned about the deal.

"We indicated we are very worried about this because of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NTP)," Ms Gillard told the Nine network.

"India has nuclear weaponry as well.

"Most Australians and Labor is indicating a degree of concern about this."

Labor has questioned the government about the safeguards surrounding the deal, Ms Gillard said.

"It's a government decision, we are entitled to ask questions and we did and we haven't got satisfactory answers."

Fairfax papers report an agreement to sell uranium to Russia could be finalised next month when President Vladimir Putin visits Australia for the APEC summit.

Senator Brown said any deal with Russia could spark a nuclear arms race in the region.

"Russia's going to give nuclear technology to Iran and Burma," he said.

"What we have is the prime minister fostering a weapons and nuclear technology race in our own region.

"Nothing could be more dangerous for the future, it puts terrorism in the shade."