Date:30/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063061080100.htm

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CPI(M) warns Centre again

Vinay Kumar

‘Will pull out if government goes ahead with nuclear deal’

Prakash Karat

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday maintained its firm opposition to the civilian nuclear deal with the United States and warned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government that it will withdraw support if the Centre goes ahead with “such a harmful agreement, which has no majority support in Parliament.”

“The Polit Bureau reiterates its firm opposition to the 123 Agreement, which does not provide for full civilian nuclear cooperation; does not meet the needs of energy security and which will severely undermine the country’s independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy by cementing a strategic alliance with the U.S.,” CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said.

He was addressing a press meet at the party headquarters here after a crucial meeting of the Polit Bureau, which fully endorsed his line “Left Will Not Compromise” on the deal.

All top party leaders and members of the Polit Bureau, including the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, attended the meeting.

Kerala unit Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu were not present.

Mr. Karat said the Polit Bureau heard a report on the current impasse arising out of the Prime Minister and the Congress leadership’s insistence on going ahead with the nuclear deal.

The Polit Bureau pointed out that going to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for approval of the safeguards agreement “will be a flagrant violation of the understanding arrived at in the November 16, 2007 meeting of the UPA-Left Committee on the nuclear deal.”

“The UPA had pledged not to proceed till the committee arrives at its findings, which includes the conclusions to be arrived at on the text of the safeguards agreement,” he said, reading out a statement issued by the Polit Bureau.

Appeal to parties

Pointing out that the UPA was formed to keep the communal forces at bay, he said that by “taking such a step and the political consequences thereafter, that purpose will be undermined.” He appealed the Congress’ partners in the UPA to ensure that no such step that would help the communal forces was taken.

“In case the government decides to go ahead with such a harmful [nuclear] agreement, which has no majority support in Parliament, we will withdraw support to the government in concert with other Left parties,” he said.