201. Editorial Note
On September 18, 1980, the House of Representatives voted 298 to 98 to reject the Presidential authorization to ship 38 tons of enriched uranium to India for use at the Tarapur nuclear power plant. The New York Times reported: “Opponents of the shipment successfully argued that approval would encourage the spread of nuclear weapons because India, which exploded an atomic device in 1974, had rejected international inspections and prohibitions on the production of nuclear weapons. Supporters of the shipment contended that India was merely being punished because of its close ties to the Soviet Union.” (Martin Tolchin, [Page 508] “House Votes to Block Shipment of Uranium for India,” New York Times, September 19, 1980, p. A3) The Department of State informed the Embassy in India that this vote “brings the House resolution into consonance with the pending resolution of disapproval in the Senate and means that no further legislative action on the issue would be required should the Senate pass its resolution.” (Telegram 249156 to Bombay and New Delhi, September 18; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800446–0138)
On September 24, the Senate voted to approve the shipment of uranium for Tarapur. According to the New York Times, “After more than seven hours of debate, the Senate voted 48 to 46 to reject a resolution that would have blocked the uranium shipments authorized in June by the President. The House or Representatives voted 298 to 98 last week to disapprove the shipments, but disapproval by a majority of both chambers was required to block the sale. Thus, the Administration’s victory in the Senate today prevented an embarrassing foreign policy reversal for Mr. Carter in the midst of a re-election campaign. There had been intensive lobbying by Administration officials, including the President, who telephoned from Air Force One to several of the more than 20 senators who were wavering.” (Judith Miller, “Senate Votes, 48–46, To Approve Selling Atom Fuel to India,” New York Times, September 25, 1980, p. A1) For the September 24 White House statement issued after the Senate vote, see Public Papers: Carter, 1980–81, Book II, pp. 1922–1923.
In a September 26 memorandum, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Zbigniew Brzezinski informed President Carter that “Ambassador Goheen forwarded a statement yesterday from the Indian government which expressed appreciation for the understanding shown, and action taken by you and Secretary Muskie regarding Indo-U.S. cooperation in the nuclear field. The statement welcomed the Senate’s decision and expressed hope that this decision will contribute positively to the continued cooperation between India and the United States.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Daily CIA Brief File, Box 31, 9/28/80–10/3/80)