Bush Urged To Tell India To Drop Iran Ties

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Two House Democrats said they are worried that U.S. missile technology sold to India may be transferred to Iran. In a letter April 30, they urged President George W. Bush to press India "to immediately cease military-to-military contact and cooperation with Iran."
Reps. Ellen Tauscher of California and Ed Markey of Massachusetts said they have "deep concern" since learning recently that Indian nationals working in the United States have been indicted for illegally shipping missile guidance system parts to India's missile production agency.
The pair wrote, "In light of the recent indictment, there exists a significant potential for controlled U.S.-origin materials and technologies to come under Iranian control" if the United States provides nuclear technology to India.
They told Bush that "unless and until you can certify that India has ended its defense relationship with Iran, we will oppose licenses for the export of missile-related or peaceful space-related items and technologies to India."
Tauscher and Markey both have a history as nonproliferation proponents. Tauscher is chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Markey is on the Homeland Security Committee.
Their letter coincides with the arrival in Washington of Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon for negotiations to start proposed sales under the Agreement for Nuclear Cooperation.
Under that agreement, which is strongly supported by the Bush administration, the United States is to provide India with nuclear power technology and nuclear fuel.
But technology sales under the agreement have been blocked because India insists it be allowed to conduct nuclear weapon tests in the future and to reprocess U.S.-supplied nuclear material. Both activities are prohibited by legislation the Congress passed in 2006 permitting the nuclear power technology sale.
Markey and Tauscher said they are also worried about India's new military ties with Iran. In March, the two countries formed a Joint Defense Working Group to increase military cooperation between them.
The lawmakers asked Bush to urge India to halt all defense contact and cooperation with Iran.
Markey and Tauscher aren't the only members of Congress concerned about India's recent actions and its potential access to U.S. military technology, a House aide said. In the aftermath of the indictments and the creation of the joint defense working group, a growing number in Congress are paying close attention and are "seeing intransigence on the Indian side." he said.
Earlier in April, eight U.S. senators wrote to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging that India suspend its military cooperation agreements with Iran.
Ultimately, Congress will have to approve military as well as civilian nuclear power technology sales before they can proceed, he said.

By WILLIAM MATTHEWS
Posted 04/30/07 19:15
Defense News