Bush Pulls U.S.-Russia Nuclear Deal From Congressional Agenda

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002945178

The Bush administration Monday withdrew a civilian nuclear agreement with Russia from congressional consideration, in response to Moscow’s ongoing occupation of neighboring Georgia.

The deal had broad support in Congress as a way to strengthen ties with Russia and solicit its help in restraining Iran’s nuclear program. That changed after Russian troops invaded and occupied Georgia last month and Russian officials threatened to overthrow the former Soviet republic’s democratic government.

In a letter to Congress, Bush said he is pulling the deal “in view of recent actions by the Government of the Russian Federation incompatible with peaceful relations with its sovereign and democratic neighbor Georgia.

“If circumstances should permit future reconsideration of the proposed agreement, a new determination will be made and the proposed agreement will be submitted for congressional review,” he wrote.

The decision to withdraw the deal, though partially symbolic, represents an escalation of the U.S. response to Russia’s continuing occupation of Georgia. Bush’s letter comes just days after the administration unveiled a $1 billion aid package for Georgia and follows a visit to Tbilisi by Vice President Dick Cheney .

Congress was unlikely to act to approve the pact this year and the Bush administration could resubmit it in January after the 111th Congress convenes but before Bush leaves office.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a bill July 24 to accept the deal if Moscow curbs its nuclear aid to Tehran. Other supporters, such as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph R. Biden Jr. , D-Del., said after the Aug. 7 invasion that Russia’s actions had “erased the possibility” of Congress approving the deal.