The Hindu Business Line : Bush letter on N-deal triggers fresh controversy

NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy broke out on Friday over US President Mr George W Bush's observations that fuel supply assurances under Indo-US nuclear deal were “not legally binding” with the Left parties and the BJP attacking the government, which itsel f said it was “intrigued”.

Official sources said they were “intrigued” by the contents in Mr Bush's memorandum to the US Congress which said the 123 agreement records certain political commitments concerning reliable nuclear fuel supply assurances but does not transform them in to legally binding commitments discuss the issue with the US.

Maintaining that they would discuss this with the US, the sources said the 123 agreement clearly specifies the responsibility of the US to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies, even if it terminates its own cooperation with India due to some reason.

The CPI (M) and the BJP accused the Government of “consistently misleading” the country on the nuclear deal, while the Congress sought to play it down saying “there is no need to read too much into it”.

“The commitment given by the top executive authority or by the Head of the government, carries the weight of the solemn assurance of the government behind it,” Congress spokesman Mr Manish Tewari said here.

Mr Tewari said the US has said that these were binding Presidential commitments which it intends to implement in accordance with the US laws and policies. - PTI

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