Bush sends N-deal to US Congress for approval

In a statement, the White House said it was transmitting the text of the agreement between the US and India 8220;concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy8221;.

8220;The proposed Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for US peaceful nuclear cooperation with India. It permits the transfer of information, non-nuclear material,

nuclear material, equipment including reactors and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production.

8220;It does not permit transfers of any restricted data. Sensitive nuclear technology, heavy-water production technology and production facilities, sensitive nuclear facilities, and major critical components of such facilities may not be transferred under the agreement unless it is amended,8221; the statement said.

8220;I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended 42 U.S.C.2153 AEA, the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy,8221; Bush has said in his memorandum released by the White House late Wednesday night.

Bush has said that the proposed agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the AEA and other applicable law.

8220;The Agreement permits the enrichment of uranium subject to up to 20 per cent in the isotope 235. It permits reprocessing and other alterations in form or content of nuclear material subject to it,8221; he said.

In the case of such activities in India, these rights will not come into effect until New Delhi 8220;establishes a new national reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards and both parties agree on arrangements and procedures under which the reprocessing or other alteration in form or content will take place8221; he added.

8220;The Agreement will remain in force for a period of 40 years and will continue in force thereafter for additional periods of 10 years each unless either party gives notice to terminate it six months before the end of a period,8221; Bush told the Congress in his statement.

8220;Moreover, either party has the right to terminate the Agreement prior to its expiration on one year8217;s written notice to the other party. A party seeking early termination of the Agreement has the right immediately to cease cooperation under the Agreement, prior to termination, if it determines that a mutually acceptable resolution of outstanding issues cannot be achieved through consultations,8221; he said.

Top Democrat will try to push N-deal through this year

Top US Senate Democrat Harry Reid will work to win approval this year of an accord to end a three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India, which President George W Bush submitted to Congress on Wednesday.

The last hurdle for the deal is Congress, and Reid, the Senate majority leader will try to push the deal through this year, according to his spokesman Jim Manley, despite a truncated legislative schedule and other concerns.

If backed by the Senate and House of Representatives, the fuel and technology deal would help India, the world8217;s largest democracy, help meet rising energy demand without aggravating climate change and open a market worth billions of dollars.

8220;Civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and India pursuant to the agreement will offer major strategic and economic benefits to both countries,8221; Bush said in a letter transmitting the agreement to Congress.

The agreement has raised international misgivings because India has shunned the Non-Proliferation Treaty meant to stop the spread and production of nuclear weapons as well as a companion international agreement banning nuclear tests.

Critics believe the deal undermines efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and sets a precedent allowing other nations to seek to buy such technology without submitting to the full range of global nonproliferation safeguards.

Current US law requires that Congress consider the accord for 30 days before a final vote can be taken. But lawmakers are due to leave by the end of September so they can campaign for the Nov. 4 election.

As a result, Congress would probably have to hold a 8220;lame- duck8221; session after the election. Congressional aides have said there were ways to bypass the 30-day requirement but that Bush, a Republican, would need solid support from Democratic leaders of both houses of Congress.

Reid, a Nevada Democrat, had a 8220;good meeting8221; with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the agreement on Wednesday, his spokesman said.

8220;Senator Reid indicated that he would try to find a way to move it forward, and will consult with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Republican leadership to try and find a way to do so,8221; Manley said. Asked if that meant Reid would try to advance the deal this year, he said, 8220;Yes.8221;

While the comments suggested the odds of the deal passing before Bush leaves office on Jan. 20 have increased, it is unclear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California will take a similar view.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Pelosi, a California Democrat, said she looked forward to reviewing the formal agreement in detail and to consulting on the matter with her colleagues, including House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman.