[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 227--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
                   MAY 11, 1998 INDIAN NUCLEAR TESTS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Brownback, and Mr. Glenn) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 227

       Whereas the Government of India conducted an underground 
     nuclear explosion on May 15, 1974;
       Whereas since the 1974 nuclear test by the Government of 
     India, the United States and its allies have worked 
     extensively to prevent the further proliferation of nuclear 
     weapons in South Asia;
       Whereas on May 11, 1998, the Government of India conducted 
     underground tests of three separate nuclear explosive 
     devices, including a fission device, a low-yield device, and 
     a thermo-nuclear device;
       Whereas this decision by the Government of India has 
     needlessly raised tension in the South Asia region and 
     threatens to exacerbate the nuclear arms race in that region;
       Whereas the five declared nuclear weapons states and 144 
     other nations have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 
     in hopes of putting a permanent end to nuclear testing;
       Whereas the Government of India has refused to sign the 
     Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty;
       Whereas the Government of India has refused to sign the 
     Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty;
       Whereas India has refused to enter into a safeguards 
     agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency 
     covering any of its nuclear research facilities;
       Whereas the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994 
     requires the President to impose a variety of aid and trade 
     sanctions against any non-nuclear weapons state that 
     detonates a nuclear explosive device; Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate
       (1) Condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision 
     of the Government of India to conduct three nuclear tests on 
     May 11, 1998;
       (2) Calls upon the President to carry out the provisions of 
     the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994 with respect 
     to India and invoke all sanctions therein;
       (3) Calls upon the Government of India to take immediate 
     steps to reduce tensions that this unilateral and unnecessary 
     step has caused;
       (4) Expresses its regret that this decision by the 
     Government of India will, of necessity, negatively affect 
     relations between the United States and India;
       (5) Urges the Government of Pakistan, the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China, and all governments to exercise 
     restraint in response to the Indian nuclear tests, in order 
     to avoid further exacerbating the nuclear arms race in South 
     Asia;
       (6) Calls upon all governments in the region to take steps 
     to prevent further proliferation of nuclear weapons and 
     ballistic missiles; and
       (7) Urges the Government of India to enter into a 
     safeguards agreement with the International Atomic energy 
     Agency which would cover all Indian nuclear research 
     facilities at the earliest possible time.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, at this time, on behalf of Senator 
Brownback, Senator Glenn, and myself, I send to the desk for reference 
to committee a sense-of-the-Senate resolution which, in essence, deals 
with the explosion of three nuclear devices by the Government of India 
yesterday. As this body well knows, the Government of India conducted 
underground tests on three separate nuclear explosive devices, 
including a fission device, a low-yield device, and a thermonuclear 
device. They did this also very close to the border of Pakistan, 
thereby raising tensions between the two countries and in the entire 
south Asia region.
  This sense of the Senate will condemn that explosion in the strongest 
possible terms and will call upon the President of the United States to 
carry out the provisions of the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 
1994 with respect to India and invoke all sanctions therein.
  It will also call upon the Government of India to take immediate 
steps to reduce tensions that this unilateral and unnecessary step has 
caused.
  I am aware that Senator Brownback's subcommittee, of which I am a 
member, will be meeting tomorrow, and will be discussing this issue, 
and, hopefully, will be able to agree to this resolution.
  I am delighted to work with the Senator, and I note that he is 
present on the floor at this time, so I will say no more but simply 
send this to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I would like to note my support for the 
resolution of my colleague from California. I think this is an 
important, quick statement for us to be making to the Government of 
India and to the nations in the region, both Pakistan and China in 
particular. The nuclear test that took place yesterday will have a 
tremendously destabilizing impact in the region. It was a bad move on 
the part of the Government of India. I think this is something the U.S. 
Senate needs to speak out on clearly and quickly, to state our 
displeasure, and that this will have consequences to it. I urge the 
administration to put forward the sanctions that are called for in the 
Glenn amendment. I don't think we can stand by and tolerate the sort of 
actions that have taken place. I urge my colleagues to look at this 
resolution, to sign on. Hopefully, we can pass this in an expedited 
fashion.

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