Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Volcker report

The fact that the Congress, Natwar Singh and Bhim Singh have all denied receiving any notice from the Volcker Committee shows that not all those named in the report as beneficiaries of the U.N. oil-for-food programme in Iraq were given a chance to explain their position on the allegations. It is also clear that the report is not entirely based on credible evidence. The External Affairs Minister has clarified that he is ready to face any inquiry. The Congress too has said it will seek more details through India's envoy to the U.N. The Opposition should wait and watch before mounting pressure on the Government.

N. Sivaraman,
Kancheepuram, T.N.

* * *

Paul Volcker has made three points clear — the findings were based on Iraqi records, opportunity was given to all concerned to respond before listing them, and the Committee did not say whether getting benefits was right or wrong. The Congress should leave the matter at this. If it still has doubts about the veracity of the findings, it can send a team to seek clarification from Mr. Volcker and U.N. officials.

R. Thirunarayanan,
Chidambaram, T.N.

* * *

It cannot be said that Mr. Volcker had any personal prejudice against Mr. Singh or the Congress. The best course of action for the Government is to ask the Minister to resign and to institute an independent inquiry .

M.D. Ravikanth,
Kancheepuram, T.N.

* * *

Mr. Singh has alleged that he has been targeted because he opposed the U.N. sanctions and American action in Iraq, and was therefore seen as a Saddam Hussein supporter. But the same can be argued in a different way. It was because of the monetary gains from the OFFP under the Saddam Hussein regime that the beneficiaries supported him.

Vijay Naik,
Hyderabad

* * *

The flurry of activity in the media and political circles over the Volcker report just goes to show how effective the American propaganda machine is. It relies on demonising all entities that reject its hegemony. It is watching with amusement the chaos in all the countries that opposed its illegal war in Iraq. The Volcker report demonstrates how the U.N. can be manipulated by its main funding nations.

G. Yogendran,
Chennai

* * *

Statements such as "accepting commission is not illegal," and "taking a political donation, in whatever form, is not a crime" by the Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh create confusion in the minds of the people. Is he preparing his second line of defence?

K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore

* * *

Instead of garnering support from interested political groups and faulting the Volcker Committee, the Prime Minister ought to have regretted the affair and taken remedial measures. The Congress' decision to send a legal notice to the parties concerned smacks of immaturity and lowers the prestige of our country.

Joy Eapen,
Vennikulam, Kerala

* * *

Just because a committee appointed by the U.N. Secretary-General has named some Indians and a political organisation, do we have to demand action against them? This is not to say that the report should be rubbished. The political parties should wait for the full details before demanding Mr. Singh's resignation.

Raji Jay,
Chennai

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