The Hindu : National : `Deep distress' over Iraqi suffering

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Thursday, Jun 23, 2005

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National

`Deep distress' over Iraqi suffering

Diplomatic Correspondent

The West Asian nation needs security and stability the most: Natwar

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said in Brussels on Wednesday that India had been ``deeply distressed'' by the suffering of the Iraqi people ``especially for the past many years." Intervening at an international conference on Iraq, Mr. Singh pointed out that the West Asian nation now needed security and stability.

``We condemn the actions of disruptive forces in Iraq and the activities of terrorist elements. Once the security situation improves, Iraq will quickly march on the road to its prosperity,'' a text of the External Affairs Minister's remarks, made available here, stated.

India was also prepared to provide assistance to Iraq in ``capacity building'' for ``security management,'' Mr. Singh said, without giving details. (The United States, for its part, has been seeking Indian participation in training Iraqi police personnel in countries close to Iraq.)

Mr. Singh said that Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari and his colleagues deserved congratulations for their detailed presentation on developments in Iraq.

``They have analysed the challenges that their government faces and the steps that it is taking for political and economic reconstruction of the country. On behalf of India, I wish all success for these efforts.''

``We in India have been closely following recent political developments in Iraq. The restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people is essential for the establishment of peace and stability in the country. In this context, the holding of elections in Iraq on January 30, 2005, was a noteworthy and encouraging development. The United Nations played a useful supporting role in that process. India has welcomed the formation of the Transitional Government in Iraq ... ''

India, Mr. Singh maintained, would like to see a stable, peaceful, prosperous, united and democratic Iraq.

``Our Prime Minister has conveyed to Prime Minister Jaafari that Iraq could, if it wished, draw upon India's experience in drafting a Constitution for its multi-cultural society.''

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