The Hindu : India does not want war: PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2003

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India does not want war: PM

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 11. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has categorically stated India's position again on the Iraq crisis— India does not want war, it is against an attack on Iraq. But in the event of a war breaking out it will meet the situation arising out of it and will ensure that Indian interests are not harmed.

The Prime Minister's comment came at the Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary meeting this morning where it was also pointed out that India's position, along with that of more than 100 countries, was stated clearly at the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement at Kuala Lumpur.

Later, the party spokesperson, V.K.Malhotra, briefing reporters said the NAM resolution had also refrained from naming the United States.

He said this against the background of some opposition parties criticising the Government for its "softness" towards the U.S.

But, Mr. Malhotra pointed out, that naming the U.S. was not wise at this stage as there was still a small possibility of the United Nations finally adopting a resolution giving the green signal for a U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

Once again, the focus of the meeting was on party discipline. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, made it clear that the leadership frowned upon any attempt by anyone to lead agitations or protest against declared government policy.

The party president, Venkaiah Naidu, had been authorised to initiate action against anyone guilty of this kind of misconduct.

There was more than a hint from Mr. Malhotra that the indication this time was that the BJP would not tolerate criticism of and agitation against the Government decision to introduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) to replace sales tax in all the States. There were reports that some party MPs had been planning agitations under the banner of various traders' organisations.

Today's meeting also became the occasion for self-congratulation with Mr. Vajpayee about to complete five continuous years in office from March 19, 1998. Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani gave the credit to the other for the smooth running of the NDA Government in the last five years.

To mark the event, from March 19 to April 6 party MLAs and MPs will tour their constituencies and explain to the people the details of the projects undertaken by the Government.

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