The Hindu : 'It is good that Bush trusts us'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2004

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'It is good that Bush trusts us'

AHMEDABAD, JAN. 13 . The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today said the United States President, George W Bush's decision to cooperate with India in the civilian nuclear programme, civilian space and high technology area was yet another manifestation of the international community's trust in India as a responsible nuclear power.

"After the Pokhran blast, many nations turned their face away from us... Those who had dropped an atom bomb on Japan were angry with us because we burst a bomb. Now, the situation has changed," he said while inaugurating the Vishwa Gujarat Parivar Mahotsav, a conference of non-resident Gujaratis organised by the State Government as a part of `Vibrant Gujarat Uttaryan 2004' celebration here.

The Prime Minister said the joint India-U.S. statement was for using atomic energy for the betterment of society. "It is good that he (Bush) has trust in us... the entire world knows that India will not use nuclear arms for the destruction of mankind."

Referring to Kashmir, he asserted that permanent peace in the Kashmir valley would not be secured through any deal and the country's border would be protected.

"The entire world wants peace. We too want peace, but there will be no deal in securing peace (Shanti me koi sauda nahin hoga). We will protect our borders and our nation's peace."

"This is the third time we extended our hand in friendship (with Pakistan) and this time the whole world is watching. There can be no solution to problems with arms... weapons have to be left behind," he said.

Mr. Vajpayee assured that those guilty of the post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat would be punished and said the minority community members should be protected.

"People want peace... and fire should be lit only to make food and not set a house ablaze. Those guilty will be punished and I trust the Gujarat Government has taken all steps to ensure peace and prosperity in the State," he said and asked the people to adopt a "forget and forgive" attitude.

Inaugurating the Vishwa Gujarati Parivar Mahotsav, Mr. Vajpayee said, "These (communal) riots should be stopped. We should forget and forgive. Minority community people should be protected and all communities should move ahead hand-in-hand."

The Prime Minister said his soul urged him to say that "enough blood of women and children has been shed and this should not be repeated anywhere."

A new era without any riots or bloodshed must begin in this city and people here have the "potential to perform this miracle'', he added.

Mr. Vajpayee said Gujarat was peaceful now and was attracting investment from abroad. This was a sign of progress and development and other States should follow suit.

The Prime Minister had a special word of praise for Gujarati NRIs who had accepted challenges and were continuing to win accolades abroad for their outstanding contributions in various fields.

Mr. Vajpayee presented the `Gujarat Garima awards' to the former Chairman of the Tata group, Ratan Tata, and the Chairman of the Reliance Group, Mukesh Ambani, besides three others for their contributions to their home State.

He also felicitated two leading doctors, Jagdish Bhagwati and Dinesh Patel. Anand Shah of Indicorp was the fifth recipient of the award.

— PTI

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