U.S. lawmaker (Howard Berman, D. CA) urges India nuclear deal be delayed

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0645733820080806

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has urged the Bush administration to shelve a nuclear trade deal with India unless it can guarantee compliance with a U.S. law that would suspend trade if India tested a nuclear weapon again.

In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, California Rep. Howard Berman, a Democrat, said it would be better to suspend congressional approval of the deal until the next Congress which convenes in January 2009.

"Given the lateness in the congressional session, it would be better to review these complex matters in the next Congress when they can receive a full and serious examination," Berman, a California Democrat said.

The Bush administration wants Congress to approve the agreement before it leaves office next January.

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