The Hindu : Semantics holds up Iraq resolution

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

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Semantics holds up Iraq resolution

By Our New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI April 7. In a change of tack, the Government today agreed to a possible Parliamentary resolution on Iraq, but still refused to ``condemn'' the U.S.-led invasion, insisting that the word ``deplore'' was sufficient to describe the military action.

Proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament were disrupted as agitated Opposition members insisted that the Iraq issue be taken up first and normal business suspended.

In a bid to end the deadlock, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Manohar Joshi, convened a meeting of political leaders in the evening to secure agreement on the text of a possible resolution.

The meeting, which lasted about one-and-a-half hours, failed to reach a consensus. However, it was decided that yet another meeting on the issue be held tomorrow morning. For its part, the Rajya Sabha awaited the outcome of efforts launched by the Speaker.

In continuing semantic twists, there was apparent agreement on the Hindi word `ninda' to describe the U.S. action, but difference on translating it as `deplore' or `condemn' into English. Though the draft resolution did not name the United States, BJP sources said the Government was willing to amend it in order to refer to the U.S.

The Government draft reportedly deplores the situation arising out of the armed action by the ``coalition forces'' against Iraq. In the place of coalition forces, the Government is said to be willing to use ``U.S-led or U.S. and Britain''.

There were also differences on ``withdrawal of troops'' from Iraq as demanded by the Opposition and the cessation of hostilities contained in the official draft. The draft reportedly referred to the great human suffering in Iraq and pointed out that military action was without U.N. sanction and not in conformity with the U.N. Charter.

BJP sources also claimed that they were willing to use a ``stronger language'' than what was contained in a ``no-day-yet-named resolution'' admitted in the name of Pranab Mukherjee, senior Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, the U.S.-led aggression came in for all-round condemnation, including by the BJP, in the Lok Sabha, this morning. Several Opposition MPs had served notice for adjournment of business and question hour, prompting the Speaker to allow a short discussion. After the discussion, the House was adjourned thrice to allow the two sides to reconcile their differing positions on the resolution.

Speaking on the issue, Opposition members Somnath Chatterjee, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, Ramvilas Paswan, G.M. Banatwala and Sudarsana Nachiapan condemned the U.S.-led invasion and accused the Government of losing its voice on the issue and in the process making itself almost irrelevant.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed five adjournments between 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., when the House finally adjourned for tomorrow. Barring the tabling of some reports, the House did not transact any business with the Opposition insisting on a resolution.

A determined Opposition raised the issue as soon as the House assembled this morning, demanding suspension of question hour, and taking up of the Iraq issue for discussion.

The Congress leader, K. Natwar Singh, said the situation was grave and even the U.N. resolution did refer to a regime change. He also objected to the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell's statement that after Iraq, Washington would turn its attention to India, Pakistan and Kashmir.

Mr. Mukherjee said the discussion could be held either on the Government resolution or the one moved by him. Several Opposition leaders, including Laloo Prasad Yadav and Left members, demanded that the resolution contain condemnation of the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

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Cong. to seek resolution on Iraq

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