Vajpayee's U.S. trip virtually off

By Harish Khare

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 13. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today decided that it would neither be feasible nor desirable for the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to travel to New York in the context of the terrorist attacks there. The Prime Minister was scheduled to arrive in New York on September 22 to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.

At the CCS meeting this morning, the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, is believed to have taken the lead in making out the case that given the U.S. preoccupation with the aftermath of Tuesday's horrifying events, it would be unrealistic for Mr. Vajpayee to make the trip. There was no formal announcement of the cancellation of the trip, but a senior official attending the meeting told The Hindu that the trip was ``most unlikely''.

Inputs from the security agencies were also categorical, with officials pointing out that their U.S. counterparts were overstrained, and it would not be possible for them to provide the kind of protection the Indian side would feel comfortable with.

The meeting decided that Mr. Vajpayee should address the nation on Friday, though some officials felt he should have done so on Tuesday, telling the people and the world that India understood America's pain.

Afro-Asian Games

After reviewing the ``security scenario'' in the wake of the attacks, the CCS agreed that the Afro-Asian Games, scheduled to take place in November in New Delhi, be postponed indefinitely. It was argued that in the days to come the Afro-Asian community would find itself divided should the U.S. decide to visit retribution on the perpetrators of the crime. In such an eventuality, as the host, India would find itself on a sticky wicket. However, it was decided that the formal announcement would be made after another round of consultation between Mr. Vajpayee and the Cabinet Secretary. On the other hand, the organisers, who were overwhelmed by the administrative and organisational problems of staging an international sports meet, were almost relieved that the events in New York had provided a legitimate excuse to postpone the Games.

Apart from reiterating the need for renewed vigil on the security front, the CCS considered what cooperation India could extend to the U.S. in investigating the perpetrators of the attacks. It was suggested that Mr. Vajpayee contact the U.S. President, Mr. George Bush, and convey India's readiness to help and cooperate in the war against terrorism.

The meeting was presided over by Mr. Vajpayee and was attended by the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, the Foreign and Home Secretaries and other senior officials from the security and defence establishments.

PM briefs Sonia PTI reports:

In the evening, Mr. Vajpayee briefed the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, on the situation arising out of the attacks and India's perception on it.

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