Harper rethinks nuclear policy

[tuvor]

Canada, Australia share concerns over U.S. uranium cartel plans



JEFF SALLOT

OTTAWA -- Canada is rethinking the question of nuclear co-operation with India in light of concerns about that country's nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says.

The Liberal government announced in September that Canada would resume trade in nuclear technology with India.

Yesterday, however, Mr. Harper suggested that his Conservative government might impose a moratorium because of worries about the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology. India has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Mr. Harper and visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard share concerns about a U.S. plan to establish a uranium cartel to supply nuclear reactor fuel to other countries. The United States says its plan is a non-proliferation initiative to keep tight control on nuclear fuel that could be reprocessed to manufacture warheads.

Even so, Mr. Howard said, Washington's plan could freeze Canada and Australia out of global markets for uranium nuclear fuel. Australia and Canada are the world's largest suppliers of uranium, but have not been included in the talks to establish the cartel.

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