July 29, 2002

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

US Interference in  West Bengal

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep concern about the  reported US State Department's background note on Bangladesh which terms the existence of a strong  Communist Party in  West Bengal as one of the factors which can contribute to regional  instability if there is a major crisis in Bangladesh.  The analysis presented in the note which has been reported in the media  gives a distorted picture of the situation in the eastern and north-eastern region.  Obviously, the US  administration views the existence of a democratically elected Left Front government in West Bengal in an unfavourable light.  The US move to extend military assistance to the Nepal government  and its growing involvement in the internal affairs of  Bangladesh and its unhealthy attitude to the Left movement in West Bengal should be of concern to all those who value the  independence and sovereignty of the countries of South Asia.