The Hindu : A silver lining

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A silver lining

Sir, — The Prime Minister has taken a wise decision, as he went by the majority opinion on the issue of sending troops to Iraq. It would have been a big disaster had the decision been otherwise. No doubt, we will be displeasing the U.S. But Washington is aware that ours is the biggest democracy. Though our decision has gone against the U.S., there is a silver lining, because it (the U.S.) has stated that India is still a strategic partner.

E. Sivasankaran,
Coimbatore, T.N.

Sir, — The Government has taken the right decision in not agreeing to send Indian troops to Iraq. After creating havoc and chaos by their unjustified war, the U.S. and the U.K. now want troops from peace-loving and friendly countries in Iraq. These forces have to work under the U.S. command. Had it been under the U.N. banner, India could have considered the request.

The allies did not consult other countries before declaring war on Iraq. Knowing fully well that their proposal to wage war would be vetoed by Russia and France in the Security Council, they defied the U.N. and went ahead. The allegation that Iraq possessed chemical and biological weapons is only an excuse and it was found to be ill-founded by the U.N. weapons inspection team led by Hans Blix. The U.S. wanted Saddam Hussein out and to inherit the vast oil resources. Hence the war.

The Vajpayee Government has shown its sagacity, magnanimity and concern for the people of Iraq by taking steps to open a hospital with the cooperation of the Jordanian Government and in developing other infrastructure, educational and health facilities.

K. Narayana Rao,
Hyderabad

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