Diplomat's Exodus Muddles Nuclear Deal (Nukes for Mangoes)

Source: Associated Press (via The Ledger)

By DESMOND BUTLER Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON

The departure of the State Department's No. 3 official adds uncertainty to a U.S. nuclear deal with India that is already in deep trouble.

The United States announced Friday that Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns would step down in March. Though Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said he would remain as the chief U.S. negotiator for the deal even after his departure, it was not immediately clear what his role will be.

It also was unclear whether his resignation as a full-time diplomat would set back dwindling hopes to complete the deal during the Bush administration, which ends in a year.

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But Squassoni also noted that the new arrangement could help Burns focus on India, which proponents hope is correct. In his current position, Burns is responsible for a host of time-consuming issues, including the negotiations on U.N. sanctions against Iran and on Kosovo's likely declaration of independence from Serbia, which the United States supports.



Read more: http://www.theledger.com/article/20080119/APW/801190600

till after january of 2009......

2 barrels of jerk sauce for a backpack nuke.