Govt puts N-deal on fast track, may move IAEA next week

Even as it is giving final touches to its ''separation plan'' with the Left parties, the UPA government is looking at the option of making a formal request to the IAEA next week for convening a special meeting of the board of governors in August to present the India-specific safeguards agreement.
The plan to move the IAEA next week, top government sources maintained, would not only ensure that the PM will have something tangible to discuss with US President George Bush whom he would meet during the G8 summit in Japan beginning July 8, but it might also ensure a smoother run for the deal in the IAEA.
The sources pointed out that an important reason for New Delhi to hurry up the issue at the IAEA was to bring it before present director general Mohammed El Baradei's term ends in September. They maintained that Baradei was familiar with the details of the safeguards agreement and its approval by the board of governors would not pose difficulties. However, in the event that the safeguards agreement was taken up at the scheduled meeting of the board of governors in the second week of September, the sources contended that it could face problems on two accounts. One, Baradei would not be there at the helm of affairs at the IAEA. Second, there would also be changes in the board of governors itself, with Pakistan joining the board as a rotating member. The sources said it would be unlikely that Pakistan would not raise objections to the India specific safeguards agreement in case it was taken up at the September meeting of the board of governors.
Meanwhile, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters on Friday that it is ''possible to arrive at an acceptable settlement'' on the nuclear issue.