Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Iran vote

With the Government reiterating that it will vote against Iran at the IAEA, if called upon to make a choice, it is clear that our leaders have completely yielded to U.S. pressure and are bent on pleasing it at the cost of our sovereignty.

Chethan K. Gopal,
Ujire, Karnataka

* * *

I would like to raise my voice as a citizen against the Government's intention to vote against Iran again at the IAEA. We may be a poor, corrupt nation but I have reason to hold my head high. Count me out while voting in favour of the U.S.

Gautam Yadav,
Rewari, Haryana

* * *

It looks like the Government is digging its own grave in its quest to satisfy the U.S. India must not forget that it is the sovereign right of nations to pursue nuclear experiments for peaceful purposes.

Vishnu Prasad,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

India should take a principled stand in the IAEA, notwithstanding the U.S.' veiled threat to call off the civilian nuclear deal.

Lakshmi Mohandas,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

India's decision shows the extent of U.S. pressure. It also shows how desperate New Delhi is to engage with Washington.

Shaghil Bilali,
New Delhi

* * *

If India votes against Iran again, it will be a vote against its own stated position on the right of sovereign nations to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The issue of nuclear non-proliferation cannot be linked to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It should be linked to a phased agenda of global nuclear disarmament. Any strategy of the nuclear-haves to move away from that commitment and retain their monopoly of nuclear power is questionable. It opens up the world to a second wave of colonialism.

Jacob George,
Changanacherry, Kerala

* * *

The Left says India is not a Banana Republic to be pushed around by the U.S. But haven't we already become one? We have been pushed into accepting the civilian nuclear deal, to vote against Iran once, and now to drop our performing Petroleum Minister. There were times when we were poorer, but could hold our heads high with our policy of non-alignment.

Maggie Thomas,
Chennai

* * *

The Petroleum Ministry has lost one of its most pro-active Ministers. It is alarming to note that the U.S. influence is creeping into most important decisions of the country.

Sundari Lakshmi Naryanan,
Bangalore

* * *

David Mulford's remark that India voting in favour of Iran would have devastating consequences on the nuclear deal deserves to be unequivocally condemned. Manmohan Singh's dismissal of it saying "to err is human" is deplorable. The attitude emboldened Mr. Mulford to comment on the need for FDI in India's retail trade. Does India need Mr. Mulford's advice on economy? It looks like it will not be long before he tells us which political party we should vote for.

K.V. Krishnaswamy,
Secunderabad

* * *

David Mulford needs to be cured of the delusion that he is Douglas MacArthur in occupied Japan. But does Manmohan Singh realise he is not leading a defeated nation?

B.R.P. Bhaskar,
Bangalore

* * *

Why has Dr. Singh chosen to retain the External Affairs Ministry? Is he planning to allot it to Mr. Mulford?

E. Arvind,
Bangalore

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Will it get off the ground?
When the crown slips away
Russia and the Great Game in Central Asia
What Hamas could learn from early Zionists
Competitive wealth
Airport privatisation
Iran vote
Made in Jhandewalan
Karnataka turmoil
Part of festivities
"We will strike a balance between environment and industrialisation"

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu