US stops short of backing Aust-China uranium deal. 04/04/2006. ABC News Online

The United States says that there are adequate safeguards in Australia's agreement to sell uranium to China for its fast-developing nuclear energy sector, but stopped short of supporting the deal.

"I would note that it's subject to an agreement on safeguards, which addresses the issue of how the fuel will be used," Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman, told reporters on Monday.

He did not say whether the US backed the deal.

"Well, it's not a question of the US supporting or not supporting. This is a deal between Australia and China," he said.

Prime Minister John Howard and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday witnessed the signing of a bilateral nuclear safeguards agreement in Canberra, paving the way for the uranium exports.

Critics have charged that the deal, which officials say would not result in shipments for several years, opens the way for regional instability and environmental problems.

Mr Ereli notes that China was a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"So this is an agreement that I think meets every reasonable standard, and that's how we see it," he said.

Mr Wen and Mr Howard insist safeguards exist to ensure the uranium, which can be used to fuel nuclear weapons, would be used safely and for non-military purposes only.

-AFP

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