AP: Lawmakers Agree on U.S.-Indian Nuke Bill

[Eugene]

Lawmakers Agree on U.S.-Indian Nuke Bill
Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Bill Allowing U.S. to
Ship Civilian Nuclear Fuel to India

By FOSTER KLUG

WASHINGTON Dec 7, 2006 (AP)— Lawmakers reached agreement Thursday on
allowing U.S. shipments of civilian nuclear fuel to India, clearing the way for
overturning decades of American anti-proliferation policy.

After several days of talks, congressional negotiators signed off on the measure,
which reconciles separate versions previously endorsed overwhelmingly by the
House and the Senate.

Both chambers of Congress must now vote again on the bill before sending it to
President Bush to sign into law. The House was expected to consider the bill
Friday, with the Senate acting after that. Details of the final bill were not
immediately available.

-snip-

The bill would carve out an exemption in American law to allow U.S. civilian
nuclear trade with India in exchange for Indian safeguards and inspections at its
14 civilian nuclear plants; eight military plants would remain off-limits.
Congressional action is needed because U.S. law bars nuclear trade with
countries, such as India, that have not submitted to full international inspections.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2708637