The Hindu : National : I was dropped under U.S. pressure: Natwar

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Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

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I was dropped under U.S. pressure: Natwar

Special Correspondent

"No question of quitting Congress"

NEW DELHI : The former External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, on Friday said "the nation needs a decisive, resolute and forceful leadership" at this juncture and asserted that he was dropped from the Union Council of Ministers under American pressure.

Addressing a press conference here, he said there was no question of him resigning from the Congress despite "offers" from other political parties.

Admitting that he had made particularly harsh remarks against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a moment of pressure, Mr. Natwar Singh, however, asserted that whatever he had said was true. He was referring to his comment about writing to the Guinness Book of Records that Dr. Singh was the only Prime Minister of India who had not even won a municipal election.

About reports of him seeking an appointment with the Prime Minister on Thursday and making overtures to mend fences with him, Mr. Natwar Singh said: "I had sought an appointment to clear the air and not to surrender."

At another point in his hour-and-a-half-long press conference, he said: "I will not come under pressure because a show-cause notice has been issued to me."

Detailed statement

Armed with a detailed statement — copies of which he refused to circulate — Mr. Natwar Singh managed to read out only half as mediapersons put forth questions.

According to him, the Pathak Authority had "completely absolved" him and his son, Jagat Singh, "of any financial impropriety and financial gain." He insisted that he had no "discussion or talk" with Iraqi authorities during his stay in Baghdad in January 2001 about oil contracts and vouchers.

Stating that the Congress delegation to Baghdad was an "entirely political delegation," the former Minister said on his return he had briefed Congress president Sonia Gandhi in detail about the discussions. "She's fully aware of what transpired there. Not a leaf moves in the Congress without her knowledge."

Three letters

However, Mr. Natwar Singh said Ms. Gandhi was not aware of the three letters he had written to Iraq's then Oil Minister but pointed out that there was no mention of any voucher in the letters.

At the same time, he insisted that the team to Iraq had not been expanded to include his son and friend Andaleeb Sehgal.Jagat Singh said he had gone as Indian Youth Congress representative and Mr. Sehgal was there on his own.

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