The Hindu : Govt. yet to decide on sending troops to Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 15, 2003

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Govt. yet to decide on sending troops to Iraq

By Our New Delhi Bureau

New Delhi June 14. A possible deployment of Indian troops as part of a "stabilisation force" in Iraq is threatening to become a first rate political controversy. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, is scheduled to have a dialogue with the Congress president and Leader of the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi, tomorrow. However, authoritative sources within the Vajpayee establishment assert that no decision has yet been taken and probably no decision would be taken without a reasonable political consensus i.e. the consent/concurrence of the principal Opposition party, Congress.

The "no-decision-yet" view was reaffirmed publicly by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, in Dehra Dun today. After a passing out parade, he asserted that there was no decision as of now whether or not India should respond to the American suggestion.

On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party leader and former Defence Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, already criticised the Vajpayee Government for "agreeing" to send troops. According to Mr. Yadav, a commitment to this effect has been made by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, during his current visit to America.

However, authoritative sources dispute the perception that Mr. Advani has already committed India to sending its troops. Such a judgment would be unfair to Mr. Advani, the sources point out, notwithstanding the tone of Mr. Advani's media bytes in the United States.

It is pointed out that in fact it was Mr. Advani who had entered the caveat that any decision would come about only after a political consensus. The Government is mindful of different views, in and out of the ruling National Democratic Alliance as well as within the Sangh Parivar. The Prime Minister is reportedly not inclined to rush into any decision. Whatever the decision, it would not be taken in secret or suddenly.

At the same time, the Government is somewhat amused by the Opposition's overactivism in the matter. Those who are in a position to know insist that the U.S. may be keen but this keenness can by no stretch of imagination be described as "American pressure".

The Government itself has lots of questions that it would like to be answered. The American team from the Pentagon, scheduled to arrive on Monday, should provide some clarifications.

In any case, the chances of an early decision are rather remote. Mr. Advani comes back only on Tuesday, and then he goes to Mumbai for the BJP's "chintan baithak" (brain-storming session). That congregation lasts till June 20 and he is expected to stay till the end of the "baithak".

The Government leaders would be preoccupied with matters internal. Maybe, the Prime Minister and Mr. Advani will get to hear the party's views on the question of troops deployment. The Prime Minister himself is scheduled to leave for China on June 22. There is no urgency that any decision should be arrived at on the only "open" day, June 21. So, in all probability no decision is expected until after Mr. Vajpayee's return from China.

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