The Hindu : Front Page : Open to any mechanism: Yechury

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Sunday, Aug 26, 2007
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Open to any mechanism: Yechury

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Reiterating its demand that the Government press the “pause” button on the India-U.S. nuclear deal, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the Government could suggest a mechanism of its choice for evaluating the implications of the deal on the country’s interests.

“We are open to any mechanism provided it enables consideration of all objections and the implications of the deal on the country are properly evaluated,” CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Yechury advised the Centre not to push the country into a deal for which “we will have to pay a heavy price.”

IAEA meeting

The Left parties also did not have any objections to India’s participation in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s meeting next month, but “the agenda pertaining to India-specific protocol should not be taken further in the meeting.”

The Left parties did not want the present crisis to affect the government’s functioning, but it all depended on how the government responded to their demands. “We want a structured debate in Parliament based on which the government should clarify its stand on the objections raised by them,” he said adding the Government should not proceed on the deal till such time.

To queries, Mr. Yechury said the Left parties’ concerns were aimed at the long-term implications on the country if the objections were not addressed. They would decide the future course of action after the meeting with the Congress’ core committee slated for next week.

Amendment favoured

He favoured an amendment to the Constitution making Parliament’s approval mandatory prior to signing of important agreements. The Constitution at present did not offer such scope on the ground that the government need not take the consent of Parliament as the Prime Minister was answerable to it.

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