Posted on 09/27/2008 4:03:32 PM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve the Indo-US nuclear deal that would allow the US to provide nuclear materials to India.
While there was bi-partisan support for the Bill, a considerable number of Democrats voted against the Bill moved by party colleague Howard Berman, an opponent of the measure who was persuaded to change his line.
While 120 Democrats voted for the Bill, 107 Democrats voted against. Of the Republicans, 178 voted for and 10 voted against.
The deal still faces major obstacles in the Senate.
The accord reverses three decades of US policy by shipping atomic fuel to India in return for international inspections of India's civilian reactors.
The accord enjoys strong support from senior lawmakers in both parties.
Supporters warn that while Congress argues over the deal, American businesses are losing opportunities as France, Russia and other countries eyed India's multibillion-dollar nuclear market.
Critics say the initiative sends the wrong message to countries like Iran as they pursue atomic programmes. India built its bombs outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which provides civil nuclear trade in exchange for a pledge from nations not to pursue nuclear weapons.
India has refused to sign nonproliferation agreements and has faced a nuclear trade ban since its first atomic test in 1974.
The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group of countries that supply nuclear material and technology agreed this month to lift the ban on civilian nuclear trade with India after contentious talks and some concessions to countries fearful it could set a dangerous precedent.
Is this how we keep Pakistan in check?
I doubt. It’s more aimed towards saving a share of the nuclear pie, and preventing Canada, France, Britain and Russia from taking up all of India’s available market for nuclear energy.
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