A Separate Peace

That was the title of a 1959,60's book that talked about compromise with principle, and used the terms of international diplomacy. The separate peace refers to betraying agreements and relationships to accomodate an outside interest. And that's what the U.S. did when it agreed to provide India with nuclear assistance without requiring their participation in standard agreements not to proliferate ... and did not require the government of India to allow inspection of its nuclear facilities.

By now you probably are thinking about N.Korea, that recently went back to nuclear projects after it was not removed from U.S. terrorist listing as agreed. Or you are thinking about Iran, that Darth hate object, that is being told they have to destroy their nuclear industry before we remove our existing prohibitions on commerce with that nation.

Another thought is the ally Pakistan, that has been a major factor in our suspended pursuit of Osama bin Laden. With another anniversary of 9/11 fast approaching, this new coziness with their arch fival seems a strange step toward obtaining increased cooperation from the newly elected government there.

The U.S. gained key international backing Saturday for a bitterly contested plan to sell nuclear technology to India – a powerhouse that has tested atomic weapons but has refused to sign global nonproliferation accords.

Washington said the landmark deal, which still needs U.S. congressional approval, will place India's nuclear program under closer observation. But critics warned it could set a dangerous precedent in efforts to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction.

"By establishing a 'good guys' and 'bad guys' set of rules, the decision will make it far harder to curb the South Asian nuclear and missile arms race," said Daryl Kimball, who heads the Washington-based Arms Control Association. Mr. Kimball said the deal could undermine efforts to contain the Iranians and North Koreans.

The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which governs the legal world trade in nuclear components and know-how, signed off on the deal after three days of contentious talks in Vienna and some concessions to countries insistent on holding India to its promises not to touch off a new nuclear arms race.

The approval represented a major foreign policy victory for President Bush, who had made the deal a centerpiece of a major 2005 overture to India.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a trip to North Africa, called the deal "landmark" and said final congressional approval would be "a huge step for the U.S.-India relationship."

The trade waiver paves the way for a U.S. reversal of more than three decades of policy. India has been subject to a nuclear trade ban since it first tested an atomic weapon in 1974. The country conducted its most recent test blast in 1998.
(snip)
Officials said Mr. Bush and Mr. Singh spoke by telephone Saturday and congratulated each other on the waiver, which removes a key obstacle to billions of dollars in potential trade in peaceful nuclear material and technology between the two nations.

Billions of dollars in trade, what inspiring motivations for nuclear proliferation. The agreement's betrayal of longstanding efforts to limit the threat of nuclear holocaust is called a Victory.

That business is seen as a goal far outweighing our continuing existence as a planet should be shocking. The dominance of the right wing has blocked our sensibilities, and we accept atrocities daily. This is unacceptable. Congress will have to decide, again, whether to protect standards that should be unquestioned.

Peace, like public interest, is forgotten in the drive to maximize profits, and we need to turn this around. I guess the occupied White House thinks more in terms of a Separate Piece.