M A I N   N E W S

Putin’s warning on Pak arms serious: PM
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 2
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, today asked the international community to take a serious notice of the observation made by Mr Vladimir Putin, Russian President, that weapons of mass destruction with Pakistan could fall into the hands of terrorists and bandits.

Mr Vajpayee, who was on a two-day visit to the state, told newsmen before leaving for New Delhi this morning, that Mr Putin’s observation was nothing less than a warning to the world at large which could not be ignored. It was time for the world community to ponder over the matter, he said sharing the Russian President’s concern over the issue.

He said this would be one of the important issues to be discussed during Mr Putin’s forthcoming visit to the country.

Referring to the economic ties with Pakistan, he said the negative response of the neighbouring country was coming in the way of trade relations. India had granted the “most favoured nation” (MFN) status to Pakistan, but it did not respond to it in a positive manner. Not only that, it even failed to implement the decisions taken in the SAARC meeting to improve economic cooperation among the members.

Islamabad was adamant that it would not take any such step until the bilateral issues between the two countries were resolved. He said for better ties we had to delink bilateral issue from initiatives for strengthening trade and economic cooperation. SAARC was not a forum for raising bilateral issues. It was a forum to promote regional cooperation to which the response of Pakistan was negative.

Mr Vajpayee left for Delhi by helicopter. Mr P.S. Badal, a former Punjab Chief Minister, Mr O.P. Chautala, Haryana Chief Minister, and Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister for Rural Development, who were here to attend the marriage reception of Mr Anuraag Thakur, a son of the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, also accompanied him. He was seen off by Mr Dhumal, Mr Kishori Lal, Industries Minister, and other ministers and senior officers at the helipad.

Oppn takes exception to PM’s statement on
temple attacks
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2
The Lok Sabha proceedings came virtually to a halt for 20 minutes during zero hour today when the Opposition, led by the Congress, took serious exception to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s reported statement in Himachal Pradesh yesterday that the previous governments had neglected the defence of the country.

Congress Chief Whip P R Dasmunshi also raised objection to the Prime Minister sharing information such as possible terrorist attacks on more temples outside Parliament even as the Winter session was on.

The Congress leader kept pressing for an explanation from the government even after Deputy Speaker P.M. Sayeed made it clear that he had no powers to ensure it.

Mr Dasmunshi said the Prime Minister should come to the House and give an explanation. Even the Deputy Prime Minister and other ministers were making important statements outside, undermining the authority of Parliament which had the right to have such information in the first place.

Prof V.K. Malhotra (BJP) countered the Congress stand stating that the Prime Minister’s statement was not a policy matter and as such it was not necessary to announce it in Parliament first.

The Congress member pointed out that Mr Vajpayee had also prior information on the attack on Parliament House, but the government did nothing to prevent it.

Mr Somnath Chatterjee (CPM) said the Prime Minister’s statement could not be construed as a campaign speech since, unlike Gujarat, there was no election in Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Dasmunshi said the Congress had fully cooperated with the government on several occasions in the fight against terrorism. The security of the country was not the responsibility of the Prime Minister and his deputy alone.

Earlier, Mr Dasmunshi had raised the matter during question hour as well, stating that Mr Vajpayee’s statement was “motivated with an eye on political gains.”

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled to take up question hour, Mr Dasmunshi got up and sought clarification on the issue.

The timing and intent of the statement was confusing for the people and the government should come out with more details, he said.

Speaker Manohar Joshi told him to raise the issue during zero hour.