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`E.U. concerned about possible escalation'

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS APRIL 25. The French and Spanish Governments today responded to statements made by the spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, Nirupama Rao, asking foreign countries to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of India.

Spain holds the current rotating presidency of the European Union and Louis Arias of the Spanish Foreign Ministry told The Hindu: "We have not yet received the communiqué issued by the Indian Government and I do not know what it says."

When this correspondent quoted the Indian statement stating that some foreign countries and missions in Delhi were creating the impression of playing a partisan role, which could affect the friendly relations between India and the E.U. as well as with the European countries,

Mr. Arias replied: "Of course, we recognise it as an internal matter. We have already conveyed our condolences and our respects to the Indian Government. However, we must underline that the E. U. remains concerned about a possible escalation, which could create tensions in the region.

In Paris, the Foreign Affairs spokesman, Francois Rivasseau, told this paper: "On the events in Gujarat, there was a declaration by the E.U. in its General Affairs Council and a communiqué issued by the Spanish presidency of the EU. I think the E.U. presidency in Madrid has explained to India's representative what our position was about that report and I would like to insist that this was an internal report. You will understand that as there are 15 E.U. countries, the report circulates. When the Indian embassy in Paris writes a report on the political situation here, we don't find that disquieting and we would not think of commenting on it. So we would not like to comment on the report."

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