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Help Government evolve consensus Sir, Mr K Natwar Singh, a senior Congress leader and a seasoned diplomat of yester years has raised some objections in connection with the recent visit of President Clinton to this country and the ongoing visit of our Prime Minister to the USA. He has also expressed his reservation on Govt's policy concerning to Kashmir. If the observations have not been expressed under the influence of a political bias towards the BJP led NDA Government, then I am constrained to note that these are not in tune with the political sagacity and diplomatic maturity of a person of the stature of Mr K Natwar Singh. His first objection is that Mr Clinton during his speech in the central hall of Parliament House has used the words ''Kashmir dispute''. What is wrong in using these words when more than one third of J&K State is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and a large part of which has been ceded to China. There is nothing to feel shy in using these words. Raising a hue and cry which Mr Singh had expected from the Government, would have sent a wrong signal across the world. An impression would have been created that India is no more interested in regaining its lost territory and treats the matter as settled. Mr Singh's second objection relates to the present Government's stand that there can be no negotiations with Pakistan Government unless and until it stops supporting cross border terrorism. Mr Singh needs to be reminded that cross border terrorism had raised its ugly head during the Congress regime and to what extent could it convince Pakistan to stop this nefarious activity through talks is known to every body. How sincere Pakistan is in negotiating a peaceful settlement has been amply demonstrated by their sabotaging the Lahore Peace Process and the ceasefire announced by Hizbul Mujahideen. Third objection raised by Mr Singh is about C.T.B.T. He has asserted that on C.T.B.T. Mr Vajpayee goes empty handed and empty handed he will return from USA. But Mr Natwar Singh must be knowing that principal Secretary to P.M. Mr Mishra has emphatically assured the nation that CTBT will not be signed during the Prime Minister's visit to USA. It is very sad that Congress Party to which Mr Singh belongs is still confused about its stand on CTBT and remains ambiguous till date. As a responsible opposition, Congress Party is under an obligation to help the Government to reach national consensus and evolve a well defined policy on CTBT. Security of the nation is of paramount importance and nobody is above it. Yours etc.... |
