The Hindu : National : No proposal to send troops to Iraq, says Congress

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Saturday, Jun 12, 2004

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National

No proposal to send troops to Iraq, says Congress

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 11. The Congress today said that there was neither a proposal (from the United States) nor any consideration for sending troops to Iraq.

The Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma's clarification was in response to a question on the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh's reported remarks on the subject. Mr. Sharma said that India's stand of a central role for the United Nations in Iraq was vindicated by the adoption of the latest U. N. Security Council resolution.

He said that India remains committed to the political and economic reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, and to do anything possible for it. Asked whether sending troops could also come under it, Mr. Sharma shot back stating: "reconstruction does not mean that."

JD(S) criticism

The Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) while slamming the Minister's statement, said " The remarks are uncalled for. We will oppose it both inside and outside Parliament," party general secretary, Danish Ali, said.

The Janata Dal (S) has three members in the Lok Sabha and is supporting the Manmohan Singh-led Government from outside. The party appears taken aback by Mr. Singh's statement because in its view there has been no change in the situation in Iraq from the time Parliament passed a resolution against sending troops. " There is absolutely no reason for us to send troops. There is opposition from within NATO to the idea of committing its troops," Mr. Danish Ali said.

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