Press Room 
Letters to the Editor
Published in the Portland Press Herald, April 13, 2006
Best way to help India is to develop energy sources
The United States and India have a history of working together on many issues.
But the U.S. Congress should not agree with the Bush proposal for the United States to make nuclear technology available to India.
Any such agreement would only undermine the existing Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has been endorsed by 188 nations, including the United States.
The NPT bans the export of nuclear technology to countries that don't agree to international inspections of their nuclear programs.
The agreement is a cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
India has refused to sign the NPT and has already built an estimated 100 nuclear weapons. In fact, India diverted U.S. nuclear material intended for civilian purposes for its 1974 nuclear test.
The most recent Indian nuclear weapons test was in 1998.
Creating an Indian exception to the NPT sets a dangerous precedent and could ultimately destroy the NPT.
What makes us believe that these kinds of deals could be confined to India alone?
It could open the possibility of open-ended nuclear proliferation.
The passage of this deal would tacitly encourage other countries to make similar bilateral nuclear agreements and snub international rules and regulations.
Let's help India (and ourselves) by offering to help them with alternative sources of energy.
Sally Breen
Peace Action Maine
Windham