Press Release
The Left parties – Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Bloc – have issued the following statement:
Observe “Black Day” On Nuclear Deal Signing
The US Congress is adopting legislation approving the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement.
The Act to be adopted by the Senate includes all the retrograde provisions of the Hyde Act and also puts further constraints on full civilian nuclear cooperation in India. There is no uninterrupted fuel supply assurance, no provision for strategic fuel reserve, no transfer of nuclear technology and steps to be taken against Iran. Any self-respecting government would have refused to sign the deal and operationalise it after this.
It has been announced that Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, will be arriving in New Delhi to sign the nuclear agreement on 4th October, 2008.
In order to protest against the signing of the nuclear deal during Condoleezza Rice’s visit on 4th October, the Left parties call for the observance of a `Black Day’ against this surrender to US imperialism.
The day will be observed by hoisting of black flags, demonstrations with black flags and the wearing of black badges. The Left parties appeal to all other democratic parties and organisations to join in this united protest against the Manmohan Singh government’s betrayal of India’s sovereign interests.