WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the same day that the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh addressed a joint session of the House and Senate, the House Members of the Energy Conference Committee approved a measure offered by Representative Markey (D-MA) to prevent the exportation of nuclear technology to countries, like India, that are not party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and who have detonated a nuclear device. The House Energy Conference Committee provision addresses concerns raised over a U.S. – India Joint statement announcing that the U.S. will work to achieve full civil nuclear cooperation with India.

“I hope the bi-partisan passage of this provision here in the Energy Conference Committee sends a clear message: we should not be sending nuclear materials to India,” said Rep. Markey. “India is not a member state of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and lacks full-scope safeguards required by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for non-nuclear weapons states to receive nuclear supply materials. We are playing with fire by picking and choosing when to pay attention to the existing non-proliferation
treaties.”

Although the measure received broad support from both Republican and Democratic Members of the House Energy Bill Conference Committee, the measure was rejected by Senate Conference Conferees during a voice vote.

“Unlike our friends on the Senate side, we don’t have any ability to advise and consent on treaties,” said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the Conference Committee. “This is a way for the House to send a signal on this particular treaty.” Barton urged a ‘yes’ vote on the Markey amendment.

The House Members vowed to continue press for action to address their concerns over the exportation of nuclear materials to non-nuclear states.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2005
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