M A I N   N E W S

CPM seeks clarification on Natwar’s remarks
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 11
The CPM today asked the Manmohan Singh government to clarify Foreign Minister Natwar Singh’s ambiguous remarks about the change in situation in Iraq.

Contesting Natwar Singh’s observation, the CPM Politburo asserted that there was no change in the situation in Iraq. “The Manmohan Singh government must make it clear that there is no question of sending troops to Iraq to bolster the American occupation. Iraq has been under American occupation for the past 14 months. There is a popular uprising against the brutal occupation,” the CPM said in a statement.

Talking to mediapersons in Washington on Thursday, after meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department, Natwar Singh drew attention to the parliamentary resolution against the despatch of troops to Iraq. He said the situation had changed now. “There is a resolution unanimously passed by the UN and there are Arab members in it. We will look at it very carefully,” said Natwar Singh.

The CPM has said the latest UN Security Council resolution had approved the Constitution of an interim government in Iraq by June 30. It had also approved the continuance of a multinational force under US command. “As far as the interim government is concerned, it is hand-picked by the US authorities. In fact, the Prime Minister-appointee has himself admitted that he has a longstanding relationship with the CIA. The people of Iraq have had no say whatsoever in constituting the interim government.”

The CPM Politburo has further said the Security Council resolution for the stationing of a multinational force in Iraq till 2006 does not mean that there will be a UN peacekeeping force.

Cong clarifies

Mr Sharma denied that External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh, after his meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, had made a statement that India would reconsider sending troops to Iraq. — TNS