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Iraq dominates PM's talks with leaders

By Amit Baruah

ST. PETERSBURG MAY 31. It was Iraq all the way. Whether it was with the Presidents of Russia, France and China, Vladimir Putin, Jacques Chirac and Hu Jintao, or the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Iraq figured as a common theme in all the meetings the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had last night and this morning.

Other than, perhaps, with the British leader, Tony Blair, the need to strengthen the United Nations in the post-Iraq context was another issue that figured prominently in all the Prime Minister's meetings.

As far as India-Pakistan was concerned, both Mr. Blair and Mr. Chirac warmly welcomed the latest initiatives taken by Mr. Vajpayee. Given the complete understanding that India and Russia have on Pakistan-related issues, there was no reference to the question in the Vajpayee-Putin meeting.

The Foreign Secretary, Kanwal Sibal, said that Mr. Putin, who met the Prime Minister on board the "Silver Whisper" luxury liner after midnight, was described by Mr. Vajpayee as a "trusted friend" of India. Mr. Putin specifically noted the multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries in the military, technical and space fields and the successful launch of the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle.

Interestingly, it was pointed out that Russia had raised the issue of easing nuclear supplier group (NSG) restrictions on countries such as India at an NSG meeting in Pusan, Korea, from May 19-23. Though the matter had been raised earlier, too, this time the Russians have chosen to issue a public statement on the issue that impedes civilian nuclear cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi.

"We believe that the activities of the NSG should not, of course, create obstacles for international cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy and take into account the new realities in the field in an adequate and timely manner," the May 27 statement said.

In his meeting with Mr. Chirac, the Prime Minister congratulated the French President for his invitation to select developing countries to hold talks with the G-8 on June 1, ahead of the main meeting of the "club of the rich".

Mr. Chirac, in turn, conveyed his "great appreciation" for the initiative taken by Mr. Vajpayee to mend fences with Pakistan. The French side, the Foreign Secretary stated, had a perfect understanding of India's position on Pakistan.

"They (the French) do feel that Pakistan should seize the opportunity provided by the Prime Minister's visit," Mr. Sibal said adding that Paris would raise the issue of terrorism with the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, when he visited France sometime next month. He said Mr. Chirac reiterated the need for a multipolar world and that he saw India as one of the "poles" in the world. The issue of relaxing the NSG guidelines was also raised with the French side.

He claimed that France saw nuclear power as a practical option for India and that "doors should be opened" to India on the issue.

In the Vajpayee-Blair meeting, the "transparency and clarity" of the language used by the British Prime Minister on Pakistan was "striking", Indian officials said. They quoted Mr. Blair as saying that the "ball was in Pakistan's court" as far as India-Pakistan issues were concerned. He was "very appreciative" of Mr. Vajpayee's initiative on Pakistan, describing the move as "statesmanlike" and noted positive efforts to restore the Delhi-Lahore bus service.

Mr. Blair is said to have told Mr. Vajpayee that the Americans were continuing to put pressure on Pakistan — that was part of a bigger American conception of the future of Pakistan itself. The context was the fear of Pakistan being taken over by Islamic extremists. There was considerable discussion on the ground situation in Iraq as well as the overall situation in the Middle East given the continuing concerns of the U.S. on Iran.

Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Blair are said to have discussed problems that might arise in future — Iran, Syria and a possible resurgence of Ba'athist elements in Iraq. The British leader is reported to have ruled out the possibility of military action against Iran.

In response to a question, Mr. Sibal said that Mr. Blair made no request for India to send troops to Iraq at today's meeting — a suggestion that has been repeatedly made by the U.S.

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