Opinion - Letters to the Editor

'The right decision'

Sir, — Your Editorial, `The right and sensible decision' ( July 15 ) points to the needs that compelled the Prime Minister to use his prerogative in deciding against sending troops to Iraq in the absence of a U.N. mandate. The absence of a consensus might have forced the Government to come to this right conclusion, leaving no merit to baseless arguments such as Pakistan grabbing the opportunity. Pakistan is already in the good books of the colonial forces and needs no certificate from them.

With the ground realities slowly emerging, it is now the turn of countries such as India and Russia to exert pressure on the Bush-Blair team to entrust the rest to the U.N. In the emergence of such a scenario and the effort to rebuild Iraq, India should keep its position in the forefront.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair,
Kochi, Kerala

Sir, — The Government had no option but to bow to the popular mood in the country which was against sending troops to Iraq to fight somebody else's war. That our troops would have had to fight under the command of the U.S. and that too at our expense is too much of a price to pay. We may have displeased the U.S. administration, but we have stood by our principles, which is a welcome development. Now that a decision has been taken, we should concentrate on steps to alleviate the sufferings of the Iraqis reeling under prolonged sanctions and a devastating war. Humanitarian aid, medical supplies and infant food should be the first priority. Our medical personnel too may be sent to serve in hospitals there.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

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