23 August 2007

Press Release

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on  August 22 and 23, 2007 to consider the political situation arising out of the UPA government’s decision to conclude the bilateral agreement on nuclear cooperation with the United States.  The Central Committee has adopted the  following resolution unanimously:

Resolution

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) fully endorsed the stand taken by the Polit Bureau that the bilateral agreement negotiated with the United States administration will bind India into a strategic alliance with the United States with long term consequences.

The Central Committee also considers the nuclear deal, as it exists, subject to the provisions of the Hyde Act which are binding on the US administration.

The Central Committee noted the various objections and apprehensions voiced by scientists, public figures and intelligentsia on the nuclear deal.  Above all, it is a fact that the majority of the members of Parliament are opposed to the agreement.

This alone should make the government pause  and not proceed further with the next steps to be taken to operationalise the deal.  It is incumbent on the government, which commands a majority in Parliament only with the support of the Left parties, to heed the voices of opposition.  It should examine the objections and clear the implications of the Hyde Act. 

The Central Committee does not want the current crisis to affect the government. However, this is contingent upon the government not proceeding further with the agreement.  The Central Committee, therefore, authorises the Polit Bureau to take whatever necessary measures to see that the agreement is not operationalised. 

The Central Committee decided to take the issue of the Indo-US strategic relations, of which the nuclear agreement is a part, to the people through a mass campaign alongwith the Left parties.  The way the tie-up with the United States is affecting the various policies  which affect the people’s livelihood, economic sovereignty and independent foreign policy will be highlighted in this campaign. 

The CPI(M) and the Left parties will conduct this joint campaign from September 4 to 8 all over the country coinciding with the two jathas which are taking place in the same period against the joint naval exercises.

Further, the Central Committee decided that the Party must conduct its own independent campaign till the 15^th of September.