06-28-2006, 07:16 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>India wins first vote on N-deal with US </b>
Pioneer.com
Sridhar Krishnaswami | Washington
US lawmakers on Tuesday defeated amendments that wanted India to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and put moratorium on fissile material production during a hearing on a Bill that seeks the implementation of the India-US nuclear accord.
The amendments to the Bill, which seeks exemptions to Atomic Energy Act 1954 to enable US to sell nuclear fuel and technology in return for non-proliferation and safeguards commitments from India, were defeated in the 50-member House International Relations Committee that discussed the proposed legislation before it is sent for Congress's approval.
<b>An amendment offered by a California lawmaker, which sought to add language in the Bill to the effect that India should sign the NPT, was defeated 36-4.</b>
Another amendment seeking to place limitations on nuclear transfers unless a presidential determination has been made regarding India's adherence to a unilateral moratorium on production of fissile material was also defeated 31-12.
The Committee approved by a voice vote another amendment brought by Joseph Crowley that stipulated the President would submit to the House and Senate international committees a report describing any nuclear reactors or nuclear facilities that India has designated as civilian and placed under inspection or has designated as military.
<b>During the debate, supporters of the agreement described it as an "unmistakable gain" for non-proliferation.</b>
But opponents said other countries would also seek similar nuclear cooperation with the US if the agreement is approved.Â
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Pioneer.com
Sridhar Krishnaswami | Washington
US lawmakers on Tuesday defeated amendments that wanted India to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and put moratorium on fissile material production during a hearing on a Bill that seeks the implementation of the India-US nuclear accord.
The amendments to the Bill, which seeks exemptions to Atomic Energy Act 1954 to enable US to sell nuclear fuel and technology in return for non-proliferation and safeguards commitments from India, were defeated in the 50-member House International Relations Committee that discussed the proposed legislation before it is sent for Congress's approval.
<b>An amendment offered by a California lawmaker, which sought to add language in the Bill to the effect that India should sign the NPT, was defeated 36-4.</b>
Another amendment seeking to place limitations on nuclear transfers unless a presidential determination has been made regarding India's adherence to a unilateral moratorium on production of fissile material was also defeated 31-12.
The Committee approved by a voice vote another amendment brought by Joseph Crowley that stipulated the President would submit to the House and Senate international committees a report describing any nuclear reactors or nuclear facilities that India has designated as civilian and placed under inspection or has designated as military.
<b>During the debate, supporters of the agreement described it as an "unmistakable gain" for non-proliferation.</b>
But opponents said other countries would also seek similar nuclear cooperation with the US if the agreement is approved.Â
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