The Hindu : War should not dilute our focus: PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2003

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War should not dilute our focus: PM

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 22. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said that whatever the rights and wrongs of the Iraq situation, India's relationship with other nations could not be "defined by a single issue".

In a prepared statement at the all-party meeting on Iraq, he said India had long-standing friendly ties with Iraq and its people. "Our relations with the United States and Britain and others involved in the crisis are strong, with many dimensions and are expanding..."

Making it clear that India's attention remained focussed on its immediate neighbourhood, the Prime Minister said, "...we should be careful that neither our internal debate nor our external actions deflect our attention, or that of the world, away from the real source of terrorism in our neighbourhood." "The nexus between international terrorism, fundamentalism and weapons of mass destruction is now being strengthened. The remnants of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are being given refuge. There is a real threat of rogue nuclear activity and WMD terrorism. Action against Iraq should not dilute our focus..."

Mr. Vajpayee said it should be recognised that the Iraqi crisis had been very divisive. "The Security Council itself is divided, with three permanent members ranged against two others, and non-permanent members with varying views."

"There are divisions within Europe and within NATO. Most importantly, the Arab world itself is divided. Indeed, many Arab countries are cooperating with the U.S. and Britain in the current military action against Iraq. We should observe where troops are stationed, where the air bases are, and from which territories missiles are being fired," the Prime Minister said in his statement.

"We are concerned about human lives — Iraqis and others. We are also concerned about refugee flows. The sovereignty and integrity of Iraq should be fully preserved and so should its secular traditions. Sectarian and ethnic conflict should not be allowed to divide the country," he stressed.

The Prime Minister said one could have differences over the necessity of war, but not on the urgent need for restoring peace. "One can sometimes wage war unilaterally, if one is powerful enough, but a united enterprise is essential in the search for peace."

"The international community must quickly get involved in restoring peace in Iraq, reconstruct the country and alleviate the plight of its long-suffering people. Even if the United Nations has not authorised war, it should coordinate the building of peace. We have already announced our willingness to participate in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq and its people. Our long-standing friendship with the people of Iraq requires this. Our standing in the international community makes it our duty to share the burden of rebuilding Iraq," he said.

According to the Prime Minister, so far, there had not been any worrying reports about the safety and morale of Indians living in the war zone.

"We are keeping a vigilant eye on developments. The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating an inter-ministerial Crisis Management Group. We will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals. Our contingency plans are ready."

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