Indo-US nuke deal enters final legislative stage

Washington, Dec 6: In what is being described as the last act, a select group of both houses of Congress, last night began the process of resolving differences over legislation required to implement the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement.

Indications are the US Congress will approve the landmark deal before it adjourns on Friday with the House and Senate, separately, approving the agreed document, still under preparation.

The agreement, which would end a three-decade-long ban on supply of nuclear fuel and technology to India, is a priority for the Bush administration.

President Bush wants the outgoing 109th Congress, in which his Republican Party has an absolute majority, to get through the deal before the legislative body passes into the control of Democrats, most of whom are not favorably disposed to the accord.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns will be in New Delhi for three days, beginning today, to allay India's concerns over the amendments made in the agreement.

However, according to official sources, Burns will hold discussions with Indian officials on bilateral issues besides attending a session of the US-India Strategic Dialogue.

However, what is reportedly troubling New Delhi is the controversial provision that would require India to 'fully and actively' participate in US and international efforts to dissuade, sanction and contain Iran for its nuclear program.

Earlier, inaugurating the meeting of the House-Senate conference here last night Republican Congressman Henry Hyde, who heads the House Committee on International Relations, said the bill, which sought to amend US law to permit implementation of the nuclear accord was the ''cornerstone of a new strategic partnership that should contribute to stability in South Asia.'' ''This legislation will also contribute to our shared goal of strengthening the global nonproliferation regime, especially by enhancing cooperation to prevent Iran from acquiring the capacity to produce nuclear weapons.'' Democratic Congressman Tom Lantos, who will head the House International Relations Committee in the next Congress, was of the view that the legislation and accord as a whole would not harm US nonproliferation goals.

''The conference report on this legislation would advance our common interests with India, while at the same time protecting and advancing our global nonproliferation obligations and objectives,'' he added.

Recently, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote to law makers expressing concern on certain amendments, hoping that they would address them sympathetically while finalizing the draft.

Talking to newsmen yesterday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said Ms Rice, in addition to her letters, had made personal calls to lawmakers, drawing their attention to the concerns voiced by New Delhi and the Bush administration on certain amendments.

The agreement would allow the US sell technology to India for civil nuclear power, while in return, India will separate its nuclear facilities used for civilian purposes from its military facilities, accept international inspection of its non-military facilities, agree not to test nuclear weapons and tighten its nuclear export controls.

UNI