The Hindu : Front Page : No question of sending troops: Natwar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 13, 2004

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No question of sending troops: Natwar

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JUNE 12. The External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, has said that the question of sending Indian troops to Iraq "does not arise," that the Government's position on the issue is based on the national consensus reflected in the Parliamentary resolution and that no request has been made for sending troops to Iraq.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Singh told mediapersons at the Indian Embassy here that India welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution "as a first step in restoring sovereignty" to the Iraqi people leading to stability and reconstruction. "We will keep the developments in Iraq under close review. All decisions will be taken by the Government in close consultation with all UPA members," Mr. Singh said.

He stressed at the press conference that the reference he made to Iraq had to do with the U.N. Resolution, which is a "very complicated, delicate and sensitive issue, and one that brings the world body to a central role in that country. So when I said `we will have a fresh look,' it had nothing to do with troops at all. It was the text of the Resolution. Nobody has asked us for troops and I think no other country has been asked." So "the spin" given to what he said was "unfortunate."

Asked to comment on the reaction in India, that of the Left parties in particular, he said: "I have spoken to comrade Surjeet and sent him the text of what I said."

Text of Natwar's statement

This is the text of Mr. Natwar Singh's statement on the question of sending troops to Iraq:

The question of sending Indian troops to Iraq does not arise.

Government's position on this issue is based on national consensus, reflected in our parliamentary resolution.

No request has been made for sending Indian troops.

We welcome adoption of U.N. Security Council resolution as a first step in restoring sovereignty to the Iraqi people, leading to stability and reconstruction.

We will keep the developments in Iraq under close review. All decisions will be taken by the Government in close consultation with all UPA members.

Points made with regard to Shri Yashwant Sinha's press conference:

I have known Shri Yashwant Sinha for many years.

I regret that he has resorted to ill-informed personal attacks.

It would be undignified on my part to respond to such personal attacks by a younger colleague.

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