The Hindu : More clarifications sought from U.S., says Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 20, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

More clarifications sought from U.S., says Fernandes

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 19. The Government is waiting for further clarifications from the Pentagon on some crucial questions before finalising its position on dispatching troops to Iraq.

While the discussions held on Monday did cover some ground, questions relating to the involvement of the United Nations, logistic Indian support and the command and control mechanism of the Indian troops remained unanswered, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said in the first official expression on the outcome of the talks between Indian and American officials on the question of sending Indian troops to Iraq.

At the same time, India was prepared to play a bigger role in providing humanitarian assistance in the form of medical relief to the people of Iraq. An advance team of military doctors and Foreign Office officials had reached Iraq to prepare for the opening of an Indian Government-operated hospital. The Government also planned to send a "floating" hospital to Basra, but it did not materialise. "We will give relief of every kind to Iraqi civilians," he reiterated.

On the discussions held earlier this week with a Pentagon team, Mr. Fernandes said: "No decision has been taken. Our officials discussed the issue with Pentagon officials. There were many questions and we did not receive replies to all of them." The U.S. team, comprising civilian and military officials of the Pentagon, was asked to provide three more clarifications. Of the three, involvement of the U.N. was the "biggest of them all". Asked whether another Pentagon team would be visiting the country to respond to the unanswered questions, Mr. Fernandes said: "Let them take their time and decide. There is no need for us to comment on that now." At the same time, he indicated India's willingness to extend relief to war-battered Iraq.

On issues impacting rapprochement with Pakistan, Mr. Fernandes said the Government was committed to talks, regardless of success or failure. "One should not be sensitive about every statement or action," was his reply to questions on reports of American plans to equip Pakistan with advanced fighter planes and the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's reported observations on "recurrence" of Kargil.

He said there was nothing unusual about the U.S. equipping Pakistan with military hardware. "Why should we get worked up by this? Pakistan has sourced arms from America for 50 years just as we buy and, sometimes, sell military equipment."

On Gen. Musharraf's purported comments, Mr. Fernandes said the implication would be different if the complete wording of the General's statement was taken into account.

The Minister made these observations after launching a book `Intelligence — A security weapon' by the former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, D.C. Pathak.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Musharraf wants Western arms embargo on India

Uncalled for statements: Pak.

Bus to Lahore may not resume on July 1

Intensify drive against infiltration: BJP

More clarifications sought from U.S., says Fernandes

Muslim Law Board has an 'open mind'

Case referred to CBI

Godhra riots: Probe ordered

Businessman shot at

New ICC chief

J&K frees 92 prisoners