The Hindu : National : Manmohan unhappy over release of letter

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Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

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National

Manmohan unhappy over release of letter

Special Correspondent

Vajpayee released it to the media

Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is reported to be unhappy that his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee chose to release to the media the correspondence between the two on the peace process with Pakistan.

Mr. Vajpayee wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on June 15, 2005, which the BJP spokesperson released to the media. On Tuesday, the BJP again made the Prime Minister's reply public.

In his acknowledgement letter, Mr. Vajpayee told the Prime Minister that, "since the subject of our correspondence is of national importance, I am taking the liberty of releasing your letter to the media."

According to a prime ministerial aide, Dr. Singh regards the communication between a Prime Minister and a former Prime Minister a "privileged" matter and does not believe that policy matters should be discussed through the media.

A view within the Prime Minister's Office was that Dr. Singh should acknowledge Mr. Vajpayee's letter and invite him for a cup of tea and a chat.

But finally it was decided that the courtesy demanded a full-length reply.

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