The wrong language

Sir, - Your Editorial `Dismal Dividends' (Nov. 13) aptly analyses the dismal situation arising out of the recent speeches by both the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The ``please all'' formulations that emerged from Washington have not pleased anyone and have kept India's so-called ``long term strategy'' or the ``phase two'' of the war against terrorism in cold storage.

Whoever advised the Prime Minister to give his speech in Hindi at the U.N. has done a great disservice not only to the nation but also to the Prime Minister. Mr. Vajpayee should have impressed other nations through a forcible speech in English.

By speaking in Hindi, the punch was lost and our message on terrorism has definitely not reached all, particularly the U.S. This could have sent wrong signals.

In contrast, Gen. Musharraf's speech in English and his unnecessary reference to Kosovo and Palestine were effective. While Gen. Musharraf gained a lot, we have not only lost a golden opportunity, but also our face. Part of the blame has to be on thrusting a Hindi speech on a disinterested audience.

V. Sundaresan,

Hyderabad

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