Wednesday, 15 August, 2007

ABC News Online

The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the decision by federal Cabinet to approve uranium exports to India is profoundly disturbing and extremely irresponsible.

Cabinet's National Security Committee approved the decision last night, despite concerns that India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT).

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says there will be safeguard agreements in place to ensure the Australian uranium is not used for military purposes.

But ACF spokesman Dave Sweeney says that will not be enough.

"The reality is, in the 1970s India broke a similar promise to Canada and that's how it developed its nuclear weapons capacity," he said.

"The Minister's assurances are cold comfort paper promises, they are absolutely unenforceable aspirations rather than a fair dinkum genuine guarantee."

But Science Minister Julie Bishop says India has a good record and has shown it will use the uranium responsibly.

"The Australian Government is very mindful of its responsibilities as a country that has enormous uranium resources," she said.

"We will continue to act responsibly in accordance with international protocols in this regard."