Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Volcker report

This refers to the editorial "The Volcker report and troubling issues" (Nov. 3). It unveils the opportunist tendencies of a country and even justifies them saying it was only natural for a country under unjust siege to manipulate the oil-for-food programme. It is difficult to tell where the truth lies. J. Krishnamurti once said: "Truth is a pathless land." In the OFFP, truth cannot be found out if one takes only the Volcker path. Nor is it possible to accept that Natwar Singh and the Congress are victims of political targeting.

In all governments, and big corporate offices, manipulation of records for ulterior motives has come to stay. It is an open secret. Many Volckers have come and gone in India. They have turned out heaps of reports. Escape routes for bigwigs and victimisation of weaklings are carefully planned.

We will wait and watch what happens to the Volcker `victims.'

R.K. Murthy,
Coimbatore

* * *

It was disturbing to read the editorial justifying Iraq's manipulation of the humanitarian programme. The argument that the report is weak is illogical. One cannot expect high-level corrupt officials to leave behind legally sound trails. Also the report is only the first step in the investigation. The alleged role of our politicians is shocking.

T. Karthikeyan,
Madurai

* * *

The editorial is exhaustive and informative. It lays bare the truth that the committee is guilty of discrimination. While it contacted some alleged non-contractual beneficiaries and got their responses before publishing the report, it failed to send notices to others including Natwar Singh and the Congress party. The Hindu 's dissection has given the right lead.

K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore

* * *

The fact that the Committee did not get responses from Mr. Singh and the Congress as it did in some other cases alone does not absolve the two of the responsibility of proving they are not beneficiaries. The party cannot sweep the allegation under the carpet.

C.R. Narayanan,
Cuddalore, T.N.

* * *

It is difficult to believe that the Congress is above board. The UPA Government should institute an inquiry, though it is unlikely to achieve anything substantial. But the Government owes a responsibility to the people as the report follows the startling revelations in the Mitrokhin Archives.

G. Ramachandran,
Kuzhithurai, T.N.

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