India, Iran N-deal not same: Burns

The Bush administration has rejected the notion that proceeding with the civilian nuclear energy agreement with India undercuts America's dealing with Iran on the issue, stressing that the US looked at both the cases differently.

Testifying before the full International Relations Committee of the house of representatives yesterday, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said that unlike "autocratic" Iran, India was not rejecting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"Iran is autocratic and adversarial and one of the greatest threats to the world today. India is ready to bring the IAEA in for the first time to place safeguards on a great majority of Indian facilities. The Iranians are trying to kick the IAEA out," Burns said in response to a question.

"So these two countries are going in opposite directions, both in our relationship and with that of the IAEA," he said.

Replying to queries as to the kind of international support that the nuclear deal with India had, he said the IAEA, France, United Kingdom and Australia had expressed support for the agreement.

"(French) President (Jacques) Chirac, (British) Prime Minister (Tony) Blair, (Australian) Prime Minister (John) Howard and (IAEA Chief Mohammed) Elbaradei have all expressed support of the president's initiative with India," Burns said.

"We think we are far better off bringing India into the non-proliferation system. India is seeking inclusion; Iran is seeking exclusion," Burns added.

The under secretary also emphasised that India had voted along with the US at the IAEA on the Iran issue. "The Europeans are solidly with us; Japan and Australia are with us. But most importantly India has voted twice with the United States at the IAEA against Iran," Burns said.

Along with Burns, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph also testified, saying that unlike India, Iran had signed the NPT and had committed itself to the treaty.

"In terms of how Iran relates to Pakistan or India: Pakistan, Israel and India did not sign the NPT. Iran has signed the NPT. Iran has committed not to acquire nuclear weapons and yet it is clearly determined to do exactly that," Joseph remarked in response to a question.

On the Iran issue, Burns told lawmakers that the administration was planning a "concerted approach" at the United Nations with a view to gradually escalate the pressure on Teheran, as the world body gets to debate Iran's nuclear issue next week.

"We intend to participate in a vigorous international debate about Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Security Council will consider a presidential statement or a Chapter 7 resolution. If, after all these steps are taken and Iran has not acceded to the wishes of the international community, then, of course we have to look at possible targetted sanctions which a number of countries are already beginning to explore", he said.

"While we make it clear that no option is off the table, the US strongly supports a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Iranian nuclear problem", he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks to the panel prior to the formal testimony of Burns, Democrat Tom Lantos said, "when it comes to the question of American policy on Iran there can be no naivete and that the long kabuki dance between Teheran and the EU has run its course even as a new kabuki dance involving Russia and Iran is being put in place".

Lantos, known for his sharp comments on foreign policy, made the argument the Russia-Iran deal that could see Moscow in control of the process, tantamounted to putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. "Moscow has been the number one enabler, supporter and investor in Iran's nuclear programme".