India for lifting of sanctions against Iraq

BAGHDAD, SEPT. 1. India has demanded lifting of sanctions against Iraq and stated that the no-flying zone was not sanctioned by an aspect of the U.N. Security Council resolution on the Gulf war.

These sentiments were expressed by Dr. Najma Heptulla, leader of the goodwill delegation from India, in her meetings with the Iraqi Vice-President, Mr. Taha Yasin Ramadhan, and the Communication Minister, Mr. Murtadha Ahmed. Dr. Heptulla had detailed discussions with the two leaders on the current situation in Iraq and on steps to further strengthen India-Iraq ties.

The goodwill delegation flew in a special Indian Airlines flight here. It was the first Indian flight to operate to Baghdad after 12 years.

Dr. Heptulla, who is heading a 79-member delegation which includes the Minister of State for Commerce, Mr. Digvijay Singh, over 20 Members of Parliament, leading businessmen and academics, said it was now time for the United Nations to lift the sanctions. ``The people of Iraq have suffered immensely during the last 11 years due to smart sanctions, claiming thousands of innocent lives,'' she said.

Dr. Heptulla, who also paid a visit to religious places of Karbala and Najf on Friday, is carrying a special message from the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, for the Iraqi President, Mr. Saddam Hussain.

The members of the delegation, which included the CPI(M) leader, Mr. Sitaram Yechury, Ali Mohammed Naik, Mirza Abdul Rashid, Mr. G.M. Banatwala, Mr. Rashid Alvi and others, also interacted with senior officials of the Iraqi Government to get first hand information regarding sanctions and its impact on the people.

- UNI

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Section  : International
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