Visit of US Consulate Personnel to Suchpur -- Serios Affront

Date: 
Wednesday, August 9, 2000

Press Statement

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

The West Bengal State Committee of the CPI(M) has rightly protested against the visit of two employees of the United States Consulate to Suchpur village in Birbhum district. The violent incident there is part of the campaign launched by the Trinamul Congress. As such, it is a concern of the political system and West Bengal government. Given the history of hostile actions against Left-led governments in India, the suspicion arises why the US diplomatic agency should directly interfere in such a matter.

The response of the Minister of State for External Affairs, Ajit Panja, asserting the right of the consulate to make such interventions is both shameful and condemnable. For the Vajpayee government, which has allowed the FBI to open an office in Delhi, such gross interference by the US diplomatic establishment may seem normal, but for patriotic Indian citizens, this stance is a serious affront.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the Central government make clear that diplomatic missions' visit to sensitive political spots be guided by clear norms. This involves getting permission from the state government, or, concerned authorities.