Text 3906, 81 rader
Skriven 2006-12-18 23:31:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0612182) for Mon, 2006 Dec 18
====================================================

===========================================================================
Fact Sheet: The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 18, 2006

Fact Sheet: The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act


˙˙˙˙˙ President Signs U.S.-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act
˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Energy

Today, President Bush Signed The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy
Cooperation Act. This Act will strengthen the partnership between the
world's two largest democracies and help our countries meet the energy and
security challenges of the 21st century.
  ū This Act Is An Important Step That Will Help Allow Us To Share Civilian
    Nuclear Technology And Bring India's Civilian Nuclear Program Under The
    Safeguards Of The International Atomic Energy Agency. On his visit to
    India earlier this year, President Bush reached an historic agreement
    with Indian Prime Minister Singh, under which the United States and
    India committed to take a series of steps to make nuclear cooperation a
    reality. The bill the President signed today is one of the most
    important of these steps. Nuclear cooperation will help the people of
    India produce more of their energy from clean, safe civilian nuclear
    power, help both our economies grow, and make America more secure.
  ū America And India Are United By Deeply Held Values. Our two great
    democracies are allies in the War on Terror, partners in global trade,
    and stewards of our environment. India is a democracy that protects the
    rule of law and is accountable to its people, and an open society that
    defends freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
  ū The United States And India Are Working Together To Expand Economic
    Opportunities In Both Our Countries. India's economy has more than
    doubled in size since 1991, and it is one of the fastest-growing
    markets for American exports. This trade is creating new jobs in
    America and raising the standard of living for millions throughout
    India. America will continue to work with India to promote free and
    fair trade - and fuel economic growth in both countries.

The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act Will Help
America Achieve Four Key Goals
 1. This Act Will Help Strengthen Cooperation Between India And The United
    States On Energy, One Of The Most Important Challenges Of The 21st
    Century. India is now the world's fifth largest consumer of energy, and
    its demand for electricity is expected almost to double by 2015. The
    United States has a clear interest in helping India meet this demand
    with nuclear energy. By helping India expand its use of safe, clean
    nuclear energy, this Act lays the foundation for a new strategic
    partnership between our two nations that will help ease India's demands
    for fossil fuels and ease pressure on global markets.
 2. This Act Will Help Promote Economic Growth. This Act helps open an
    important new market for American businesses by paving the way for
    investment in India's civilian nuclear industry for the first time.
    This new trade will help American companies gain new customers abroad
    and create new jobs here at home.
 3. This Act Will Help Make It Possible For India To Reduce Emissions And
    Improve Its Environment. Today, India produces nearly 70 percent of its
    electricity from coal. Burning coal produces air pollution and
    greenhouse gases, but nuclear power can generate massive amounts of
    electricity without producing any air pollution or greenhouse gases. By
    sharing advanced civilian nuclear technology, we will help India meet
    its growing demand for energy and lower emissions at the same time.
 4. This Act Will Help Keep America Safe By Paving The Way For India To
    Join The Global Effort To Stop The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons. India has
    conducted its civilian nuclear energy program in a safe and responsible
    way for decades. Now, in return for access to American technology,
    India has agreed to open its civilian nuclear power program to
    international inspection. After 30 years outside the system, India will
    now operate its civilian nuclear energy program under internationally
    accepted guidelines, and the world will be safer as a result.

# # #

===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061218-2.html

 * Origin: (1:3634/12)