Bush signs nuclear deal

The US President, Mr George W. Bush, on Wednesday signed into law the legislation to implement the historic Indo-US civil nuclear deal paving the way for the two countries to formally ink the 123 agreement on Friday.In significant comments at the signing ceremony, Mr Bush assured there will be no changes in fuel supply commitments as contained in the 123 Agreement. “India can count on reliable fuel supplies (from US) for its reactors,” Mr Bush said.Mr Bush inked the authorising legislation finally approved by the US Congress last week in a high-profile ceremony at the White House’s ornate East Room reversing 34 years of US policy to eventually allow American businesses to have a share of India’s 100-billion-dollar nuclear pie. The external affairs minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and the US secretary of state, Mr Condoleezza Rice, will formally sign the overall bilateral nuclear co-operation accord on Friday evening itself in a surprise announcement made by the State Department hours before Mr Bush’s signature on the implementing legislation.“On Friday at 4 O’clock (1.30 am IST Saturday), the secretary will sign with the Indian foreign minister, Mr Mukherjee, the India Civil Nuclear Agreement,” the state department spokesman, Mr Sean McCormack, told reporters.