MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Sunday appealed to the Left parties to call off their agitation against the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama on November 8.
“It is Mr. Barack Obama who cherishes Mahatma Gandhi as the guiding star of humanity and keeps his portrait in his office since many years. Therefore, the people of India are duty bound to extend a hearty and glorious welcome to Mr. Obama who hails from an oppressed race,” he said in a statement.
Describing as “shocking and painful” the protest announced by the Left parties, he said the revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, had applauded Mr. Obama as a honest man.
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“Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who used to launch his whip of accusation against the U.S., has softened his severe criticism on Mr. Obama,” he said.
Mr. Vaiko said Mr. Obama had fulfilled his election promise to withdraw all American combat forces from Iraq and he had assured that the remaining 50,000 American forces would also be withdrawn before the end of next year. He had also ordered the closure of Guantanamo bay prison and stopped the torture of the detenues, Mr. Vaiko said.
He wanted to know why the Left parties had failed to conduct any agitation condemning the Congress government for permitting Warren Anderson, chairman of the Union Carbide in Bhopal, to leave India by arranging a special flight.
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