Byron Dorgan: “Let me respond briefly. There is a very big difference between this and the agreement we had with the Soviet Union. In…”

“Let me respond briefly. There is a very big difference between this and the agreement we had with the Soviet Union. In the Soviet Union agreement, both sides, the United States and the Soviet Union, decided they wished to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and the delivery systems of those weapons. As a result of that decision, both sides wishing to reduce both weapons and delivery systems, we embarked on a process that was very helpful to both countries and to the world and to world peace. This is very different. This is mutual interest. But now, we are told it is in our mutual interest, us and India, to have India be allowed to produce additional nuclear weapons, not reduce nuclear weapons. Under this agreement, everyone will agree, India will be allowed to increase nuclear weapons. If India is allowed to increase nuclear weapons under this agreement, that is very different from the agreement we had with the Soviets by which we decided to reduce. The point is, this agreement says it is in our mutual interest to allow India to increase its production of nuclear weapons. That is clearly not in our mutual interest, but that is what the resolution says. Second, my colleague is right, none of this operates in a vacuum. This will not be in a vacuum, either. Pakistan will insist on producing more nuclear weapons. So will China. Pakistan has already told our country: If you are going to do this with India, we want you to do it with us.…”