US lawmakers support Indo-US nuclear deal

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Washington, Aug 5: US lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, have begun to publicly support the US-India Nuclear agreement, which requires Congressional approval for its implementation.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, in a statement last night said, 'I am encouraged by the progress that has been made in securing this agreement.' He wanted the United States to embrace the opportunity 'to work with India to ensure the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.' 'As we move forward, we should address any and all concerns to ensure that the final agreement strengthens our global partnership and addresses any potential risk regarding nuclear proliferation,' he said.

He recalled how some in Congress chose to oppose the initial legislation that made it possible to share nuclear technology with India. Nevertheless, Congress was able to find common ground on this issue.

He hoped the critics would not oppose this agreement or attempt to impede the further development of a strong relationship with India.

Lawmaker Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the agreement, a central element in the administration's effort to develop a &34;global partnership&34; with India, must be agreed to by Congress before coming into force.

Like so many of her colleagues, she pointed out, she had a number of concerns about this proposed agreement. These included India's right to reprocess U S-origin nuclear fuel; transfers of technology, material, and facilities that could be used to enhance India's nuclear weapons program; and enforcement of U S law requiring termination of cooperation if India were to once again test a nuclear weapon.

She, said the proposed agreement must also be considered in the context of the growing military, political, and commercial relationship between India and Iran at a time when responsible nations are curtailing their dealings with Iran in light of the regime's pursuit of activities that could be used to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.

''In the months ahead, we will be working towards resolving these concerns that are critical to our nation's security and look forward to develop a consensus on how to proceed,'' she said Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs welcomed the opportunity to review the civilian nuclear cooperation deal in detail.

''As Congress considers it, we need to determine whether the new agreement confirms to the Henry Hyde Act, and thereby supports U S foreign policy and non proliferation goals,&34; the Democratic lawmaker said.

Lantos and Hyde were the co-authors of the Henry J Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act, which gave the Administration authority to waive certain requirements of U S law in order to permit civilian nuclear cooperation between the two counties.

The legislation required that any resulting agreement could only be implemented with congressional approval.

UNI

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