President's speech

Sir, - A banquet is meant to be a ceremonial dinner in honour of a state-guest, and tradition demands that such an occasion is not used to raise contentious issues that may cause embarrassment to the guest-of-honour. But the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, chose to use the function to air sharp criticism of the United States, to the bewilderment of the guest, Mr. Clinton, who discreetly opted not to respond to the criticism. Perhaps, biting lips does help Mr. Clinton to manage awkward situations such as this.

The Indo-U.S. relations have at last reached a state of robust health. We have veered the United States to a position of appreciation of our true secular democratic principles that underline our domestic and foreign policies. We can all heave a sigh of relief if this appreciation can be translated into an amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue.

Subbiah Venkataraman,

Thiruvananthapuram

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Section  : Opinion
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