Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Condemnation of US Attack on Iraq
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the bombardment of Baghdad by US and British planes which has killed five persons and injured several others. The first major international step by the Bush administration has been an act of blatant aggression against Iraq. It portends the arrogant and aggressive character of the Republican Administration. It may be recalled that the US aggression against Iraq in 1991 was launched by the father of the present President and General Colin Powell, the present Secretary of State, was the Chief of the US Armed Forces then.
At a time when international opinion has firmly veered towards ending the UN sanctions against Iraq, the US action is designed to create new hurdles in removing the sanctions.
The Vajpayee government should strongly protest against this act of aerial piracy. It should work actively for ending all punitive sanctions including the illegal "no-fly zones" imposed on Iraqi air-space by violating Iraqi sovereignty. The Polit Bureau calls upon all democratic sections to voice their protest against this attack on Iraq.