February 20, 2003

Press Statement

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

Vajpayee Government: No Firm Stand on US Threat to Iraq

The stand taken by the Vajpayee government on the US threat of war against Iraq is an ambiguous and vacillating one.  The Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, speaking on the behalf of the government in the Lok Sabha did not make a categorical statement  against the US moves for a military attack.  Despite all sections of the House demanding  that India take a firm stand against the aggression on Iraq, the Minister stated that further action should be taken by a decision of the Security Council.  He further added that the Security Council cannot wait indefinitely for  securing Iraqi compliance  which is echoing the stand taken the US.  This implies that there is a basis for  military action in the future.  There is no mention about protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq which is under grave threat.  The speech made by the Finance Minister scrupulously avoids naming the United States which is the prime cause for the threat of war.

Coupled with the  refusal  to adopt a resolution on Iraq by Parliament, the Vajpayee government has shown itself subject to American pressure which disregards the national sentiment in the country.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the  government of India clearly state that  it is opposed to any military action against Iraq.  The United Nations is the appropriate forum to find a peaceful resolution of the issue without resorting to military action and that war is not an option.