WASHINGTON, JULY 26, 2006 - "My amendment clarifies and reinforces the intent of Congress that the nuclear cooperation entailed in this legislation would be for peaceful and productive purposes, not military purposes," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "These are unsettling times in nuclear proliferation with Iran and North Korea violating their responsibilities under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. It is important to reiterate that this cooperation with India is totally peaceful."
The House approved the Stearns' amendment and later H.R. 5682. "India is a vibrant multiethnic, free market democracy with a strong commitment to the rule of law," added Stearns. "Yet, India violated its international nuclear commitments to use nuclear assistance for only civilian purposes in 1974 by detonating a nuclear bomb. As America and India strengthen their ties as democracies, it is imperative to underscore the peaceful nature of this nuclear cooperation."
H.R. 5682 would exempt future, non-weapon nuclear cooperation agreements with India from current statutory restrictions in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA) that would otherwise not permit the export of nuclear items and materials to India. It also provides a plan to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities, materials, and programs; prevents the spread of nuclear enrichment and reprocessing technology to other countries; and enacts and enforces comprehensive export control legislation and regulations to secure nuclear and other sensitive materials and technology.
For Further Information Please Contact Paul Flusche at 202-225-5744 or Email.
