Date:19/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/19/stories/2007081960081000.htm

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No automatic suspension of deal: U.S.

Washington: With the remarks of U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack creating an uproar in India, Washington has clarified that its position remains — that the civil nuclear cooperation will not be suspended automatically even if a nuclear test is conducted.

“It has been reiterated to us that the U.S. position remains as it had been articulated earlier at an authoritative level,” Ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen told PTI here.

Right to react

The Bush administration has “reiterated” that India “retains its right to [conduct a nuclear] test and the U.S. retains its right to react,” Mr. Sen said, adding, however, that “this reaction will not be automatic suspension of all cooperation.” — PTI