The Hindu : Saying 'no' to U.S.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 05, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Saying 'no' to U.S.

Sir, — Congratulations on your forthright Editorial, `Don't send Indian troops to Iraq'( July 4 ). It is high time India shed equivocality and disclaimed any part or lot in what is one of the saddest misadventures of our time — the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq. It was a needless war. Admittedly, Saddam Hussein ran a tyrannical regime. But it had a saving grace; it was not a fundamentalist state, nor did it breed terrorists to the extent that America's friends, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, have done. In any case, replacing bad rulers is not the job of the U.S. or Britain.

Now the Anglo-American "coalition" has got into a mess, which is worsening by the day. It is not the Indian Army's job to act as "charladies" to do the cleaning up. Our sally into Sri Lanka was both a mistake and tragedy. Let us keep that warning in mind. The Indian Army should not go to Iraq to kill or get killed. Both ways, there will be unhealthy religious backlash.

India can and must offer peaceful aid — food, medicine and technology. All aid must be clearly labelled "From India, with friendship".

Lakshmi Krishnamurti & K. Krishanmurti,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Your Editorial represents the voice of India. It is apolitical in its argument and rises above the narrow confines of partisan politics.

You have made a forceful case against sending our soldiers to Iraq under the present conditions. The rulers should listen to this voice of sanity.

B.M. Bhatia,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — As you have pointed out, there seem to be clandestine efforts being made by the Government to strike a deal with the U.S., which would probably help it justify sending troops to Iraq. With the Indian business starting to exert itself in the international market and the present Government representing the interests of big business and big money, there is every possibility that it will finally agree to send the troops.

Every Indian who has pride in the independence of the country should oppose any such decision in every possible way. It is clear that the U.S. and the U.K. are finding the going tough in Iraq and they desperately need any assistance that comes their way. It is easy for them to lure countries such as India and Pakistan (which has already agreed to send troops) into the business by dangling the carrot in front of them.

Prasenjit Sen,
NC, U.S.

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