Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam today called on Foreign
Minister Stephen Smith to reject any nuclear cooperation deals with
India.

“The US-India deal is a disaster for disarmament. It is very likely
to set off a chain reaction of tension in the region, including a
nuclear arms race,” he said.

“This pet project of George Bush rewards India for developing
nuclear weapons and standing outside the nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT).  This is exactly the opposite message Australia should be
sending as champions of nuclear disarmament.

“The Australian Greens welcome the International Commission for
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament announced by Kevin Rudd after
his visit to ground zero in Hiroshima. We also welcome the Rudd
government’s decision to not sell uranium to India.

“For our disarmament efforts to be credible and successful,
Australia needs to be clear and consistent. India and Pakistan are
countries in our neighbourhood pouring enormous investment into
developing their nuclear arsenals and the doctrines aimed at fighting
nuclear war/

“Arguing that some of India’s facilities will come under safeguards
through this process is a false argument.  Giving India special
treatment fatally undermines the whole idea of standards, which are
about equal responsibilities for all states.

“Australia should not support the US-India deal in the Nuclear
Suppliers Group because it undermines ALP policy, which is very clear
on promoting the NPT and its safeguards which India has rebuffed.

“Even Hans Blix, former IAEA Director General and promoter of
nuclear energy has said that this deal risks fuelling an arms race in
Asia.  This deal rewards proliferators and throws a spanner in the
already stressed global disarmament machinery.