Date:09/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/09/stories/2007090961161100.htm

National

Clarification

With reference to the report “Left cannot stop government from talking with IAEA: Karat,” the CPI(M) Research unit convenor, Prasenjit Bose, has sent the following clarification:

“The report (The Hindu September 8, 2007) does not reflect the intent of what Mr. Karat said in the press conference at Guntur.

“Regarding negotiations on the safeguards agreement with the IAEA, Mr. Karat said: ‘The government should not proceed with talks with the IAEA on the safeguards agreement.’ Your headline and report misrepresent this.

“Mr. Karat had stated: ‘The Left parties would oppose any amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to allow private sector, including FDI, in the nuclear power sector.’ There was no reference to this being related to the stalling of the 123 agreement.”