Nuclear Rules Group Must Insist on Nonproliferation Conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the founder and co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation, today responded to news that the Bush administration privately assured members of Congress that the United States would cut off nuclear trade with India if that country tested a nuclear weapon, while allowing the Indian government to publicly claim the opposite.

“The Bush administration can’t have it both ways. While privately assuring Congress that the U.S. will cut of nuclear trade if India tests a nuclear weapon, the Administration is lobbying the Nuclear Suppliers Group to pass a rule-waiver for India that includes no such limitations. In this case, actions truly do speak louder than words,” said Rep. Markey.

“The Nuclear Suppliers Group is facing a critical vote in the next few days. Do they agree to undermine the international nonproliferation regime because of the Bush administration’s arm-twisting, or will they stand firm and insist on adding basic nonproliferation conditions to any nuclear trade with India?

“When every single one of the 45 NSG member countries has signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, why should India get a free pass? When Pakistan has warned that carving out a huge exemption for India increases the risk of a nuclear arms race in the subcontinent, why should we allow India to vastly increase its nuclear weapons program?

“As the end of his term nears, President Bush seeks to grant India a ‘proliferation pardon’, excusing its past violations of arms control norms. The NSG should reject this ill-considered, unwise and unproductive plan,” concluded Rep. Markey.

Full text of the Bush administration letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee