The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : No, thank you

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 11, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

No, thank you

Sir, — The offer of FBI assistance by David C. Mulford, U.S. envoy to India, to help investigate the bomb blasts in Assam is amazing. After the 9/11 attacks and the mess in Iraq, the entire world has strong doubts about the capability of the FBI and the CIA. To see the U.S. still offering assistance to another country is astonishing.

Ushadevi & S.B. Rao,
Ruwi, Oman

* * *

Sir, — The FBI and the CIA are, no doubt, top investigating agencies. But the image of both has taken a beating in the last three years. While the CIA has been criticised for providing wrong information to the U.S. President, leading to the war in Iraq, the FBI has come under flak for having failed to forewarn the U.S. of the September 11 attacks.

C.A.C. Murugappan,
Kothamangalam, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — Mr. Mulford's offer is absurd. The Government should take immediate steps to send him back.

R. Anusha,
Tuticorin, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — It is unfortunate that both the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, and the Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, treated Mr. Mulford's letter so casually.

P.S. Krishnan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Mr. Patil should not have explained it away as a "gesture" of help. It would be better for U.S. to be generous with and concerned about Iraqis. We are capable of setting our own house in order. Thank you, but no thank you, Mr. Mulford.

Raman Tiwari,
Ranchi

* * *

Sir, — Last year, when there was just a vague suggestion that the U.S. might cajole the NDA Government to send Indian troops to Iraq, Congress leaders screamed `murder'! Now we have the same leaders playing down the U.S. Ambassador's totally unprecedented and unwarranted offer.

Anil K. Joshi,
Ranikhet, Uttaranchal

* * *

Sir, — Many strategists have pointed out time and again that the U.S. has sinister long-term plans for Asia. The imperialist West keeps on thinking of dividing nations elsewhere, even while working for unity in Europe.

K.S. Parthasarathy,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — Mr. Mulford's behaviour is unbecoming of an Ambassador. By directly writing to Mr. Gogoi, he has flouted the norms of diplomacy and international relations. Such issues should not be taken lightly.

B. Vishwanatha Rao,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — There is no question that a foreign country's offer of help should be routed through the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ambassador has clearly overlooked protocol. But to fault the Government on its reaction is not correct. When a country offers help, we have to be careful and diplomatic in our comments. Being blunt is no virtue in this context.

R. Ramakrishnan,
Chennai

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