Antinuclear

Pakistani nuclear physics professor and analyst Pervez Hoodbhoy told The Australian many people would be dismayed by Julia Gillard’s push to end the ban on uranium sales to India, given the likelihood it would stoke nuclear proliferation in South Asia.

“It’s very disappointing, because it’s well known that if India gets Australian uranium it will be able to divert a bigger fraction of domestically mined uranium for the production of fissile material used for making bombs,” Professor Hoodbhoy said.”India’s nuclear (weapons) program has been constrained by the lack of domestically mined uranium, and now Australia is offering presumably unlimited quantities it can make more bombs faster.

“This is a point that’s not going to be lost on Pakistan, and will be justification for those who want an increase in the nuclear inventory.”…..

India’s Institute for Conflict Studies director Ajai Shani said the news Australia had joined other nations in waiving the requirement for India to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty would feed Pakistani paranoia over an Indian weapons build-up.

“Pakistan will certainly see this as a threat, and there will be those who see this as an excuse to accelerate the production of nuclear warheads,” Mr Shani said….

Greenpeace India nuclear spokeswoman Karuna Raina expressed concern that a dependable supply of Australian uranium would free up India’s limited indigenous uranium resources for its weapons program….. While the Indian government welcomed news of the Australian Prime Minister’s push for a reversal of the ban on sales, Pakistan called for Australia to apply any policy change fairly.

Pakistan protested in 2008 when the US signed its nuclear materials supply agreement with India, effectively overturning a ban imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group on uranium sales to non-signatory countries.

Under the deal, India agreed to international inspection of its nuclear reactors, although at least three operating nuclear plants will not be open to scrutiny by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Association.

Should the ALP back Ms Gillard’s call, Professor Hoodbhoy said this would be seen as “another example of international hypocrisy when it comes to Pakistan”.  https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#drafts/133aa1f8fe68dff6