Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
US Pressure on Enron Denounced
The United States government is determined to protect the interests of Enron, the American multinational corporation, whatever be the costs the people of Maharashtra and India have to pay. This is the message which was delivered by Christina Rocca during her visit to India. Speaking about the Dabhol power company, which is charging exorbitant rates for electricity, she has emphasised, "that it will be difficult for international investors to view India favourably until it is resolved, and in a reasonable manner". The threat implied is obvious.
In the past few weeks, whenever Indian government representatives have met members of the Bush administration, including the Vice-President, Dick Cheney, the American side has demanded that the Dabhol power company dispute be resolved in favour of Enron. This reflects the well-known close links the Republican administration, starting with President Bush, has with the Enron corporation.
As far as India is concerned, the Maharashtra state government has been forced to order a judicial enquiry into the Dabhol agreement. The Enron project at Dabhol is a standing testimony to how powerful multinational corporations suborn governments to sign illegal and unequal agreements. The Vajpayee government, which is responsible for providing the counter-guarantee to this project, must not give in to such blatant pressure.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the Central government and the state government stand firm and state that the terms of the agreement of the Dabhol power project cannot be implemented