One World or None – Briefing on the US-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

The Federation of American Scientists will host a press event at its headquarters on the proposed nuclear technology transfer agreement between the United States and India. Now that India appears to be pulling away from the deal, what will the next steps be for the U.S.?

FAS President Henry Kelly will join Congressman Ed Markey to host a news briefing at 9:00 am EDT on Thursday, 18 October, in Washington, DC. Light food and beverages will be provided for reporters.

This briefing is part of FAS’s mission to provide sound advice on U.S. nuclear policies.

The event will take place at FAS, 1725 DeSales Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC (Farragut North Metro Stop – red line). To attend please RSVP with Monica Amarelo, 202-454-4680, mamarelo@fas.org.

General Background:
U.S. – India Nuclear Technology Transfer Agreement
In August 2007, new language for the transfer of nuclear technology and equipment between the United States and India was released. The new agreement fails to constrain India’s nuclear weapons program and makes it clear that the weapons program is off the table and not to affect the agreement’s execution.

In summary, there isn’t much of a deal here at all.

On Wednesday, 14 June 2006, FAS held an event at the National Press Club to release a letter signed by Nobel Laureates to announce its opposition to the Indian nuclear cooperation deal. While FAS believes there are many areas in which the United States and India could, and should, establish closer ties, this nuclear agreement isn’t it. http://fas.org/intt2006/

To learn more, please visit the Strategic Security Blog to find analysis by FAS Vice President of Strategic Security Ivan Oelrich (See http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/).

One World or None
Reporters will receive a copy of the 1947 New York Times best-seller One World or None. FAS revived the classic anti-nuke text written by scientists who participated in the Manhattan Project, including five Nobel Prize recipients. The series of essays were originally published after the discovery of the atomic bomb and are every bit as relevant to U.S. nuclear issues now.

For a world that has witnessed the destruction of nuclear weapons – and which still lives with the threat of nuclear disaster – the questions of more than 60 years ago are the same we ask today: How are atomic bombs different from all weapons that preceded them? What implications does splitting the atom have for world peace? Is there an effective defense against nuclear weapons?

Event Hosts & Speakers:

Representative Edward J. Markey, Congress of the United States
Henry C. Kelly, President, Federation of American Scientists
Ivan Oelrich, Vice President of Strategic Security, Federation of American Scientists

WHAT: Briefing on US – India Nuclear Deal

WHEN: 18 October 2007
8:30 a.m. breakfast
9:00 a.m. remarks

WHERE: Federation of American Scientists
Conference Room
1725 DeSales Street, NW
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20036

Farragut North Metro Stop (Red Line)