M A I N   N E W S

Vajpayee to focus on menace of terror
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today left for a crucial 13-day foreign tour to Turkey and the UN where, among other things, he would be focusing on the menace of international terrorism.

Before emplaning Air India One, Mr Vajpayee told reporters at the airport that there was no change in the government’s decision on sending troops to Iraq. Significantly, in response to a question whether the question of deploying Indian troops in Iraq was a closed chapter, the Prime Minister quipped: ‘‘Was it open?’’

He said the recent developments had put a question mark on the role and structure of the UN. He, however, declined to answer a ‘hypothetical’ question as to what India would do if the UN passed a US-sponsored resolution giving greater role to the world body in Iraq. He merely remarked: ‘‘Let the UN take a decision on the resolution, we will also then take a view in the matter.’’

Mr Vajpayee would address the 58th session of the UN General Assembly on September 25. The Prime Minister said that in his address to UNGA he would highlight issues of international concern facing the world and particularly the situation in the subcontinent. ‘[The role and structure of the UN itself has been called into question by some recent developments,’’ he added.

He described the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting as ‘most important’ and said the session would consider how the world body could ensure world peace. ‘‘The UN will have to decide how it can carry everybody along...we will make our voice heard at the world body.’’

The Prime Minister would reach Ankara later today. The West Asia crisis and terrorism were high on the agenda of his talks with the Turkish leadership. Four protocols, including one on setting up of a joint working group on terrorism, were expected to be signed between the two countries.

One of the highlights of his visit to Ankara would be the unveiling of a bust of Rabindranath Tagore in a famous street in the Turkish capital.

In his meeting with President Bush, likely to take place on September 23, Mr Vajpayee would inform the US leader the reasons why India was not in a position to send its troops to Iraq.

India had stated time and again that it would not reconsider the July 14 Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decision on not sending its soldiers to the war-torn country without an explicit UN mandate.

In a statement before departure, Mr Vajpayee said: ‘‘As on all my visits abroad, I will interact with the community of Indian origin both in Turkey and the USA to acquaint myself with the community’s perspectives on developments in India and its progress and successes in its country of domicile.’’