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Journalism of Courage
Uranium sale to India 8220;would not start automatically8221; after the Labor government8217;s reversal of a ban against its export to the country,Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said today.
Stating that the policy change was aimed at cultivating good ties with the rising Asian power,Rudd added that it 8220;won8217;t automatically translate into a beginning of sales,8221; according to Australian news agency AAP reported today.
8220;India will first have to make strong commitments under a bilateral nuclear safeguards agreement,8221; he said.
8220;I take my non-proliferation responsibilities deadly seriously,8221; he said.
8220;This will require fundamental commitments from the Indian government in a bilateral nuclear safeguards agreement with Australia of an identical type that we have with the 20 other countries to whom we export uranium at present.8221;
Rudd said he would be taking a 8220;hard line8221; as Australia8217;s principle negotiator on any such agreement.
He said India currently had no 8220;crushing need8221; for Australian uranium but rather the policy change was aimed at cultivating good relations with the rising Asian power.
8220;The strategic relationship with India for the decade ahead is of great important to our national interests.8221;
Meanwhile,Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said Rudd8217;s comments made Gillard8217;s announcement even more extraordinary.
8220;If Kevin Rudd is the principle negotiator for uranium sales to India why was he not included in any discussion prior to the Prime Minister making her announcement?8221; Bishop said.
Gillard recently announced her plans to push for lifting a ban on uranium sales to India as it is outside Non-Proliferation Treaty.
