Date:28/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/28/stories/2007012812440100.htm

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Anti-proliferation Bill passed

WASHINGTON: In a significant move, the Democrat-controlled Congress has passed an anti-proliferation bill requiring the President to take ``punitive actions'' against countries with dubious proliferation records or cooperating with those indulging in proliferation.

The observers see the Bill as the Congress' first stern warning to the administration on Pakistan, the U.S. ally in the war on terror, and disgraced nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan.

The provisions are included in a Comprehensive House Bill that was recently cleared by a majority of 299 votes to 128 in the House of Representatives.

The Nuclear Black Market Counter Terrorism Act and stipulations in the other provisions of the Bill requiring that Pakistan be taken to task if it does not cooperate in coming to terms with the Taliban on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, are an indication that the Congress is determined to intensely question the administration.

The toughening on the Pakistan front has to be seen in the backdrop of a deep-seated perception in certain Congressional quarters that in the name of cooperating in the war on terrorism, the Bush administration has turned a blind eye to some of the other activities of Islamabad, including on how tough it has been with Mr. Khan. — PTI