Arms Control Experts, Environmental Activists, Consumer Advocates, Religious
Groups and Doctors Find Proposed Agreement Would Dangerously Undermine
National Security, Global Stability
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty-three organizations
today launched a coalition to stop the Bush Administration's proposed nuclear
trade agreement with India. The proposed agreement would exempt that
nuclear-armed nation from longstanding U.S. and international restrictions on
states that do not meet global standards to prevent the spread of nuclear
weapons.
The Campaign for Responsibility in Nuclear Trade believes the agreement would:
dangerously weaken nonproliferation efforts and embolden countries like Iran
and North Korea to pursue the development of nuclear weapons; further
destabilize South Asia and Pakistan in particular; and violate or weaken
international and U.S. laws, including the Hyde Act, which Congress passed in
2006 to provide a framework for the bilateral U.S.-Indian nuclear cooperation
agreement.
"When Congress takes a close look at the Bush Administration's proposed
agreement, it will find a dangerous, unprecedented deal," said John Isaacs of
the Council for a Livable World. "The proposal undermines over 30 years of
nonproliferation policy, will increase India's capability to produce nuclear
weapons and its stockpile of nuclear weapons-material, and sends the wrong
message to Pakistan during a time of crisis in that country. We feel confident
that, under the Congressional microscope, the many flaws of this deal will be
exposed, and it will ultimately be rejected for the sake of preserving
national security and global stability."
The U.S.-Indian bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement would allow the
transfer of U.S. nuclear technology and material to India. However, it fails
to hold India to the same responsible nonproliferation and disarmament rules
that are required of advanced nuclear states. The deal will increase India's
nuclear weapons production capability, exacerbate a nuclear arms race in the
region, undermine international non-proliferation norms, and encourage the
creation of large nuclear material stockpiles. Its contribution to meeting
India's growing energy needs has been greatly exaggerated and it would create
economic opportunities for foreign nuclear industries without any guarantees
for U.S. businesses.
The pact must win approval from the U.S. Congress, which changed U.S. law in
December 2006 to allow negotiation of the agreement, under several conditions
that have not been met in the final language of the agreement. Those
conditions include a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency
for safeguarding Indian power reactors and changes to the international
guidelines of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, which currently restrict
trade with India.
Members of the Campaign are working to educate the U.S. Congress and public
about the dangers of the deal, and are working with experts and organizations
in two-dozen countries to inform deliberation over the deal within Nuclear
Suppliers Group and its member state governments.
The new coalition's partners include: Council for a Livable World, Arms
Control Association, Federation of American Scientists, Physicians for Social
Responsibility, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington office, United
Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society, Friends Committee on
National Legislation, Institute for Religion and Public Policy, Union of
Concerned Scientists, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, All Souls
Nuclear Disarmament Task Force, British American Security Information Council,
Women's Action for New Directions, Americans for Democratic Action, Peace
Action, Peace Action West, Arms Control Advocacy Collaborative, Beyond
Nuclear, Bipartisan Security Group, Citizens for Global Solutions, Maryknoll
Office for Global Concerns, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Nuclear
Information Resource Information Service.
Advisors to the coalition include Ambassador Robert Grey (Ret.), former U.S.
Representative to the Conference on Disarmament and Director of the Bipartisan
Security Group; Dr. Leonard Weiss, former staff director of the U.S. Senate
Subcommittee on Energy and Nuclear Proliferation and the Committee on
Governmental Affairs; Dr. Robert G. Gard, Jr., Lt. Gen., U.S. Army (Ret.),
Senior Military Fellow, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation; Subrata
Ghoshroy, Director, Promoting Nuclear Stability in South Asia Project,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Dr. Christopher Paine, Nuclear
Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council.
The Campaign's website is http://www.responsiblenucleartrade.com.
About the Campaign for Responsibility in Nuclear Trade
The Campaign for Responsibility in Nuclear Trade, a partnership project of 23
nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, environmental and consumer protection
organizations, opposes the July 2005 proposal for civil nuclear cooperation
with India and the additional U.S. concessions made to India as a result of
subsequent negotiations because they pose far-reaching and adverse
implications for U.S. and international security, global nuclear
non-proliferation efforts, human life and health, and the environment. More
information about the campaign can be found at
http://www.responsiblenucleartrade.com.
SOURCE Campaign for Responsibility in Nuclear Trade
Leonor Tomero of the Campaign for Responsibility in Nuclear Trade,
+1-202-546-0795, ext. 119, ltomero@clw.org
