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CPI(M) flays Centre’s stand on Kosovo

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government should have been “categorical” on the issue of declaration of independence by Kosovo, a province of Serbia.

“Many countries with national minorities face secessionist demands. India, too, should have come out with a clear statement against the break-up of Serbia. But the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs has taken an ambiguous stand,” People’s Democracy, the party organ, said in an editorial “Kosovo: Imperialist Protectorate” in the latest issue.

Criticising the government for “taking shelter” behind the claim of “studying the serious legal issues,” the editorial said on no major issue of international significance, did the government want to appear to be in dissonance with the United States.

“At least on such a vital issue as the sovereignty of countries with minority populations and the challenge to a basic principle of international law, India should speak up,” it noted.

It said the latest act of “imperialist impudence” — the creation of a NATO protectorate in the Balkans did not augur well for peace and stability in the region. “India having faced a number of secessionist demands since independence, should have been categorical on this blatant violation of national sovereignty and the brazen use of force to redraw territorial boundaries. That it has not done so, speaks a lot about the predilections of the UPA government,” the editorial said.

It said the declaration of independence by Kosovo was the last act in the disintegration of Yugoslavia which was initiated by the Western powers nearly two decades ago.

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