Rice meets Pelosi to discuss Indo-U.S. nuclear deal

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Sept 10 (PTI) Keeping up with the word on a
"full court press", the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice met the powerful Speaker of the House of Representatives
Nancy Pelosi, in which they were understood to have discussed
the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal.

However, the spokesperson for Pelosi maintained that the
discussion revolved around the process for considering the
accord once it has been submitted, according to a media report
quoting Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami.

"The Speaker looks forward to reviewing the submission in
detail and consulting with Chairman Berman and members of the
leadership in determining the appropriate course of action,"
Elshami said.

The importance and urgency of the nuclear deal from the
perspective of the administration and Congress is reflected in
the fact that Speaker Pelosi broke away from a Press
Conference on Energy with top leaders of her Party saying that
she had a meeting with the Secretary of State on India.

"... I have to excuse myself as I have to meet secretary
of state -- I think the subject is India. I'm not sure and I
have to excuse myself -- but I'm sure my colleagues here will
be pleased to answer any questions" Pelosi said before leaving
the briefing, according to a transcript.

Earlier in the day Rice had a meeting with powerful
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Howard Berman
which was passed off as a "private meeting" by top
Congressional aides.

But it was generally believed that Rice discussed the
modalities of winning Congressional approval for the civilian
nuclear deal in the 110th Congress, technically due to end on
September 26,2008.

Law makers have been talking of a Lame Duck session
after the November 4 elections, but nothing has been firmed up
on the matter partly because many powerful Democrats are
against the idea and would like to start with legislation
afresh in the 111th Congress.

The State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack maintained
that the administration is going to make a "full court press"
- a basketball phrase that has to do with attacking the ball
before it gets into court - efforts with Congress and that the
Secretary of State had spoken with a number of law makers
including Chairman Berman and Democratic Vice Presidential
nominee Senator Joseph Biden.

"We think there is a possibility of getting this passed
this year and we are going to do everything we possibly can,"
said McCormack.

"Whether it does or not, it's not going to be because of
lack of efforts" he said stressing the Secretary of State had
instructed aides to have the paperwork ready for the Hyde
Package in 24 hours to 48 hours.