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Volcker report

This refers to the editorial "The Volcker report and troubling issues" (Nov. 3). The Hindu questions, on the one hand, the sanctity of the Iraq war because it did not have a U.N. mandate and, on the other, an independent report of the same body. The view that the report is not credible because of the committee's composition reflects a hatred for everything American. The comment that the report ignores the larger picture of the Iraqi suffering is unacceptable.

One of the studies commissioned by the independent inquiry committee, Impact of the Oil for Food Program on the Iraqi People (September 7, 2005) clearly states in Chapter 2 that the sanctions regime and the OFFP led to a `handout society' that deprived individuals from becoming responsible international citizens. The report chronicles the massive deterioration in health, human resource, industrial capacity, infrastructure and agriculture in Iraq.

Venkat Srinivasan,
Zurich, Switzerland

* * *

The Volcker report cannot be dismissed as politically motivated. It is the outcome of investigations by a person nominated by the U.N. Secretary-General. Paul Volcker may not even be aware of who Natwar Singh is but for the fact that he is now External Affairs Minister. Mr. Singh should resign on moral grounds even if there is no conclusive proof against him.

Ramaswamy Krishnan,
Fremont, California

* * *

The editorial was informative and it highlighted the weak areas in the report. But that in no way absolves the Congress and Mr. Singh of the charge that they benefited from the oil-for-food programme in Iraq. No preliminary report is definitive and no one who is named a beneficiary ever accepts that he or she received commissions. Kickbacks do not surface on straight tracks. The latest statement by Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh that accepting commission is not illegal, and that U.N. officials approached him to sign a deal has added a new dimension to the issue. Mr. Natwar Singh should resign and concentrate on clearing his name.

Hilda Raja,
Chennai

* * *

The arguments in the editorial fade into insignificance before Mr. Bhim Singh's statement. There is no explanation why the Saddam Hussein regime contacted the people and the party out of power. The issue involves our image and prestige and cannot be dismissed lightly. Instead of giving a clean chit to Mr. Singh, the Prime Minister should clean the stables.

B. Krishnakumar,
Secunderabad

* * *

The Centre's decision to get to the root of the Volcker Committee's allegations is welcome. The country would like to know the basis of its findings, which have caused a furore and are aimed at damaging India's image.

P. Kannan,
Srivilliputtur, T.N.

* * *

The fact that the powers behind those in charge of the probe were the ones who advanced the spurious theory of weapons of mass destruction in justification of the war should not be lost sight of by the people who are readily giving credence to the Volcker report. At least now the Government should understand the deep-rooted conspiratorial nature of the U.S. Government and adopt an independent foreign policy unlike the stance adopted on the vote on Iran at the IAEA meeting.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

* * *

An independent committee headed by a Supreme Court judge should go into the allegations. Pending inquiry, Mr. Singh should step down. Otherwise, the issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

* * *

It is certain that the Volcker report, after Jinnah and Mitrokhin Archives, will keep Indian politics busy for at least the next few weeks.

S. Lakshmi Narayanan,
Cuddalore, T.N.

* * *

The Hindu has correctly doubted the veracity of the investigative exercise. But even assuming that the report is motivated or biased, why should it name only Mr. Natwar Singh and the Congress? Between 1996 and 2003, the BJP-headed NDA was in power and that government also opposed American action in Iraq. No doubt, the report per se is intriguing but the shadowy OFFP deals and kickbacks are real. A thorough inquiry should be conducted to expose the illegal, illicit recipients of the oil funds or the culprits who fabricated the report to sully the image of a few inconvenient politicians.

A. Seshagiri Rao,
Chennai

* * *

The contention that the committee did not contact Mr. Singh before finalising its report is not convincing. Though this opportunity could have been given to him, the fact that it was not is no reason to dismiss the report summarily. There is no basis to cast doubts on the composition of the committee. Instead of rejecting the report, the Minister should come forward to face an inquiry and clear his name.

K. Murlidar,
Chennai

* * *

The Congress bayed for the blood of George Fernandes when he was Defence Minister. It forced Uma Bharti to resign as Chief Minister over the Idgah Maidan flag hoisting issue. Now it is the turn of the Congress to uphold the principles it preached. Mr. Singh should quit. Let him prove his innocence and come back as Minister.

R. Sendhil,
Coimbatore

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