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Big 5 abstain from voting on IAEA resolution

India scored a point at the 42nd regular session of the International Atomic Energy Agency at Vienna yesterday, when the big five abstained from voting on the resolution moved against the nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan.

Fortyfour votes went in favour of the resolution expressing grave concern over the recent nuclear tests. Only India and Pakistan, which recently conducted nuclear tests, voted against the resolution. A total of 43 members abstained from voting, which included the five nuclear weapon states.

According to Department of Atomic Energy official Dr K L A Subramaniam, the nuclear weapon states -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China -- who were among the 37 co- sponsors of the resolution abstained during the voting.

Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr R Chidambaram led a high-level Indian delegation at the five-day session, which concluded late last night.

Dr Subramaniam said no debate was permitted involving various rules of procedures, many of which involved seeking legal advice.

This indicates a shift in the stand of the nuclear weapon states from their earlier stand criticising the Pokhran tests by India. Several countries including the US imposed sanctions against India and Pakistan for conducting the tests.

UNI

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