January 5, 2006

 A High-Stakes Nuclear Gamble With India
 
Dear Colleague:

A recent Op Ed that appeared in the Los Angeles Times underscores the threat that granting India special exemptions from nuclear nonproliferation treaties and U.S. nuclear nonproliferation law represents.  As the article points out, if we make exceptions to U.S. nonproliferation laws for India, what signal are we sending to the rest of the world?  How, for example, can we demand that Iran – a country that has signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty – comply with tougher nonproliferation controls than we are willing to impose on India, a country which has refused to sign the Treaty?

In light of the security risks of the proposed India deal, I recently introduced H. Con. Res. 318.  The resolution sends a strong signal to both the Administration and to India that there should not be special waivers or exemptions from our nation’s nuclear nonproliferation laws.  Peaceful energy cooperation between the U.S. and India may be beneficial to both countries, but we believe such cooperation should focus on energy sources other than nuclear power in light of the adverse nonproliferation consequences of transferring sensitive nuclear technology or materials to that country.

Please contact Nicole Gasparini or Jeff Duncan (Rep. Markey) at x52836 if you would like to cosponsor this resolution.

     Sincerely,
     
     /s/
Edward J. Markey
      

L.A. Times Editorial, December 30, 2005