Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Vote against Iran

As the series of developments related to Iran's nuclear controversy unfolds, it is clear that the inevitable is waiting to happen — the use of force and an Iraq-like situation. India, which voted in the IAEA, referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council, apparently to win America's goodwill, will have to do some clarifying in future.

If the U.S. attacks Iran and requests the Indian Government for troops, will it be in a position to refuse them? Will the U.S. give us the assurance that it will facilitate the proposed gas pipeline if a pro-Washington regime is established in Iran? The P-5 have to answer whether the cause of international peace and security is served by selective concern over proliferation.

Sutirtha Sahariah,
New Delhi

India's foreign policy is no longer independent. Maintaining good relations with one nation should not be at the cost of good ties with another.

Vipul Mehta,
New Delhi

If, as a result of the vote, sanctions are eventually imposed on Iran, New Delhi will also have to share the blame for the consequent suffering. The deaths and misery caused by the sanctions on Iraq are well documented and we know what they entail.

Dilip Raghavan,
Wisconsin, Madison

The U.S. has moved a step closer to the Iran-after-Iraq game. It is time all nations saw through the American attitude of `don't do what I do, do what I say.'

Venu C. Nair,
Nileshwar, Kerala

If a small country, Iran or North Korea, wants to increase its nuclear energy resources, it is branded as a rogue nation. The Security Council is woken up from its stupor by its permanent members and driven to take action against the country.

But when America invaded Iraq for its selfish ends, the Council did nothing. All non-aligned countries and like-minded members should ask for scrapping permanent membership and veto powers. If that is not possible, they should quit the U.N.

P.K. Akhilesh,
Chennai

India has come under fire from some quarters. They attribute the decision to U.S. pressure. It is unfortunate that they fail to appreciate India's principled stand. India's vote is against Pakistan, which was responsible for the clandestine transfer of nuclear technology to Iran, and against the U.S., the U.K. and China, which are encouraging clandestine nuclear proliferation.

Wg. Cdr. (retd.)

K. Parthasarathi,
Chennai

For the U.S., India is nothing but an instrument to accomplish its agenda. By going along with Washington on the Iran issue, New Delhi has proved that it is sovereign only in name.

Ashish Asopa,
Jodhpur, Rajasthan

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