'We Are Studying The Resolution'

Press Briefing by the Official Spokesperson, on UNSC Resolution on Iraq, where he ruled out any specific indication yet on whether or not Indian troops will be sent to Iraq.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 23 May 2003 12:00 am

Navtej Sarna: I have been receiving calls all day asking for our reaction on the UN Security Council Resolution on Iraq adopted on May 22, 2003. I will give you ourreaction.

We welcome the unanimous adoption of the resolution for several reasons. The long-suffering people of Iraq deserve all the help that they can get from the international community. Secondly, the adoption of the resolution would enable intensification of efforts in this direction. The adoption of the resolution shows that despite the differences on the issue of war, all the members of the UNSC including the permanent five have come together on the post war issues.

The resolution reaffirms principles which are important for us: it reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, the right of the Iraqi people to freely determine their political future and control their natural resources.

Further, there is now to an extent an internationally accepted road map for rebuilding and reconstruction activities in Iraq. We also welcome the elements in the resolution which recognise that it is for the Iraqi people to determine their political future after an interim period and with the involvement of the UN Secretary General’s representative.

Specifically I may add that from India’s point of view it should also enable us to deliver through the UN the humanitarian assistance in cash and kind amounting to US $ 20 million that we had pledged. We can also explore India’s participation in the rebuilding and reconstruction ofIraq.

So these are some of the points I thought I would share with you as to our reaction. Of course the Resolution is still being studied in all its aspects.

What’s India’s position as far as sending its troops to Iraq is concerned, I understand that the resolution appeals to countries to assist to rebuild and to contribute stability and security under the authority constituted, basically under the US and the UK?

I don’t have a specific response for you on that aspect, we are studying the UN Resolution.

Which means we are considering to send troops?

No, which means what I said - we are studying the resolution.

You also said that India is exploring the possibility of participating in rebuilding and reconstruction of Iraq. Does that also include sending of troops?

I don’t think rebuilding and reconstruction translates to anything other than rebuilding and reconstruction.

Has there been any instance where India has sent troops other than under the blue helmet UN peacekeeping force?

I have to check our records for that.

Was there any request from UK and US for deployment of Indian troops?

On this issue I have already given our response several days ago.

There was resolution passed by Parliament call for early withdrawal of coalition forces. Would sending troops be in conformity to the resolution passed by the Parliament?

I think you are presuming several steps in that. I have already said that we are studying the resolution. But there is an aspect in what you say about withdrawal of troops, etc. This UN Resolution is not about the war, but about the post war situation. In a way it conveys the acceptance of the present realities in Iraq and is made up of elements by which the international community could help the people of Iraq.

So you did not rule out the fact that India might send troops to Iraq?

I have answered your question at least three times. We are studying the resolution.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary has said today that Pakistan is wiling to formalise nuclear test ban with India…

India has any way in place has a unilateral commitment not to test.

On this composition of the authority there is a very limited role for the UN. So do we have any quarrel with that…. but are we happy with the composition of the authority?

I wouldn’t like to go into or try to give a reaction on each part of the resolution. As I said earlier the resolution which has just been adopted last night needs to be fully studied and all its implication, all aspects of it have to be studied, the impact on the ground realities, etc. But as a whole the unanimous adoption of the resolution has been welcomed for several reasons arising from the fact that it provides a way for the international community to help the people of Iraq.

Is visit of Prime Minister to China finalised? Are dates finalised?

No dates have been finalised.

Riaz Khokhar in Geneva proposed 6 points on the Indo-Pak dialogue. Do we have any response to that?

That is not a proposal on Indo-Pak dialogue. That is a statement made in the Conference on Disarmament in a disarmament and international security forum. We have not reacted tothat.

But he specifically mentioned that how India and Pakistan should plan to use the … and that there should be permanent mechanism for dialogue andCBMs…(Inaudible)

There are several aspects of that. But I am not in a position to give a point by point reaction to that. But if you go back to earlier agreements there is a place for nuclear CBMs which has been worked out at Lahore.