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Waiver nod to Clinton first of many measures for lifting economic sanctions, says FM

Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has described as a ''positive step'' the decision to give US President Bill Clinton waiver authority to lift sanctions imposed on India after it conducted nuclear tests.

Sinha said this was a first step and it was expected that more such steps will follow.

Clinton has signed the omnibus Appropriation Bill sent to him by the Congress, authorising him to waive off most of the remaining sanctions he imposed against India and Pakistan.

Reports from Washington said that it is expected that in the coming weeks, particularly after the Talbott-Jaswant Singh talks in November, Clinton will try to reconcile many conflicting interests -- the need to maintain monopoly of the five nuclear powers, possibility of keeping India out of the club and business interests.

UNI