The Hindu : Consensus eludes all-party meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2003

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Consensus eludes all-party meet

By Our New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI MARCH 22. An all-party meeting on Iraq today failed to come up with a joint statement, with the Government refusing to use the word "condemn" to criticise the American military action as demanded by the Opposition.

The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, hoped the military campaign against Iraq would end soon.

India must take the "totality" of the situation into account and adopt a position consistent with its principles and long-term national interest.

Addressing the leaders of 21 political parties, Mr. Vajpayee said: "Our words, actions and diplomatic efforts should be aimed at trying to achieve pragmatic goals, rather than creating rhetorical effect. Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing."

The Congress said the war against Iraq violated "all accepted canons of international law and, therefore, needs to be condemned".

Calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities, it said the whole matter should be referred to the U.N. once again to find a peaceful and honourable solution acceptable to all parties.

The CPI (M) leader, Somnath Chatterjee, said it was unfortunate that the Vajpayee Government was not prepared to use the word `condemn' in describing the war against Iraq.

He said the Opposition had placed three demands — condemnation of the U.S.-led attack, immediate halt to military action and withdrawal of troops, and settling the matter through the U.N. — on which there was broad agreement.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, alleged that the Government was "afraid" to say anything against either the U.S. or the U.K.

Even some of the NDA allies had condemned the U.S.-led attack but the Government preferred not to adopt the same in words, he said.

"What the Prime Minister said saddened me and the middle path would be viewed by history as a big blot on India."

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