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.