India got a one-off waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which controls the export and sale of nuclear technology, in Vienna yesterday. New Zealand is a member of the NSG, which makes its decisions by consensus.
Prime Minister Helen Clark last night confirmed that she had spoken to US President George W. Bush about the matter on Thursday, while visiting a Paraparaumu rest home.
NZ backs nuclear exemption for India after US Pressure
NZPA, Monday September 8, 2008
Trade Minister Phil Goff is in Washington for an official announcement of the US decision to enter negotiations tomorrow, but news of the deal, which would be the biggest trade deal for New Zealand since CER in the 1980s, seeped out today.
As soon as that had occurred Miss Clark confirmed the “major step forward”.
She told reporters if a deal was successfully signed up, it could eventually be worth as much as a billion dollars a year.
PM hails US free trade breakthrough
NZPA, Monday 22 September 2008
[...] Danyl has suggested that Helen Clark may have sold her vote to George W Bush on letting India legally develop nuclear reactors, in exchange for this free trade deal. If this is true, then again Helen deserves praise for getting such a high price tag for NZ’s pro-nuclear vote. [...]
Pingback by Good news for free trade fans | Kiwiblog — September 23, 2008 @ 7:35 am
Never mind all that, I’m amazed that the PM managed to find George Bush in a Paraparaumu rest home.
Comment by Bearhunter — September 23, 2008 @ 8:27 am
I’m amazed that the PM managed to find George Bush in a Paraparaumu rest home.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that turned out to be Cheney’s undisclosed location.
Comment by Danyl Mclauchlan — September 23, 2008 @ 8:29 am
while visiting a Paraparaumu rest home.
‘Sorry Ethel, just got to nip off to chat to George Bush, so i’ll be back in a mo – save me a scone!’
Comment by StephenR — September 23, 2008 @ 8:30 am
[...] Danyl has suggested that Helen Clark may have sold her vote to George W Bush on letting India legally develop nuclear reactors, in exchange for this free trade deal. If this is true, then again Helen deserves praise for getting such a high price tag for NZ’s pro-nuclear vote. [...]
Pingback by Voices without Votes » Good news for free trade fans — September 17, 2009 @ 5:35 am