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India undecided on backing Kadirgamar

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI DEC. 2. India is yet to decide on backing the candidature of the former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Mr. Kadirgamar's candidature has been filed very recently and the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, has written to the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, seeking India's support.

The Foreign Secretary, Shashank, today confirmed the Sri Lankan President's letter but said India was yet to take a decision. "The Sri Lankan President has written to all Commonwealth members in this matter. The candidature has come on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) summit while continuation of the present Secretary-General, Don MacKinnon, has been in the air for a long time.

In fact, Mr. MacKinnon has held meetings with the members in this regard," he told presspersons here today.

"Still, Sri Lanka is a close friend, a close neighbour. Let us see how Commonwealth members react to this late-stage nomination," Mr. Shashank said.

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