The Hindu : National : Praise for Buddhadeb

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 05, 2006

National

National

Praise for Buddhadeb

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, who met West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee here on Friday described the latter as one "who is hard working and sincere."

The economic situation in the State had improved and he would be trying to encourage visits by U.S. delegations from both the private sector and the academic community to visit the State to explore areas of cooperation.

When reminded that the Chief Minister belonged to a party that was against India forging any strategic partnership with the U.S. Mr. Boucher said at a press conference that he "understands that he [Mr. Bhatacharjee] comes from a different political party and background."

"But we work with people who want to see the opportunities democracy and the free market can bring to the people," Mr. Boucher said. "We think we can play a role working with the Government here", he added.

Despite the Chief Minister's political affiliation, Mr. Boucher has been given to understand that the former has no problem as long as the opportunities created [through U.S. participation] matches with the State's economic interests.

"As for political matters, I do not want to get involved," Mr. Boucher said.

On the question of opening up the retail sector to private players to which the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is bitterly opposed, Mr. Boucher said that "the first beneficiaries of opening up the retail sector would be the people and the Indian consumer."

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

National