PRIME MINISTER'S OPENING REMARKS AT THE ALL PARTY MEETING ON IRAQ
Following is the
text of the opening remarks of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee at the All Party Meeting on Iraq, here today:
"I welcome
all of you here today. I have always tried to maintain the tradition
of consultations with major political parties, particularly on
important international issues. This has helped strengthen the
national consensus on our foreign policy.
On Iraq, we have
expressed our views on several occasions in recent days. I have
made a statement in both Houses of Parliament. We also had an
al-party meeting, like this one today, earlier this month. Our
position is based on our principles and national interest. We
have been consistent in underlining certain basic principles in
our various statements. These are that:
- Iraq should destroy any weapons
of mass destruction and their means of delivery and comply fully
with all relevant UN Resolutions.
- Every possible effort should be
made to avoid war, a peaceful solution should be sought, and
any action on non-compliance by Iraq should be taken with UN
authority.
- Any Action without the specific
authorization of the United Nations will undermine the credibility
of the United Nations and have grave consequences for the world
order.
- Regime change should be decided
by the internal processes in a country and cannot be imposed
from outside.
We have had long-standing
friendly ties with Iraq and its people. We have very valuable
political, economic, cultural, religious and other ties with the
Arab world. Our relations with United States and Britain and others
involved in the Iraq crisis are strong, with many dimensions,
and are expanding. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Iraq
situation, our relationship with others cannot be defined by a
single issue, however important and whatever the differences in
points of view.
We should also recognize
that the Iraqi crisis has been very divisive. The Security Council
itself is divided, with three Permanent Members ranged against
two others, and non-Permanent Members with varying views. There
are divisions within Europe and within NATO. Most importantly,
the Arab world itself is divided. Indeed, many Arab countries
are cooperating with United States and Britain in the current
military action against Iraq. We should observe where troops are
stationed, where the air bases are, and from which territories
missiles are being fired.
We have to take
the totality of the situation into consideration and craft an
approach, which is consistent with both our principles and our
long-term national interest. Our words, actions and diplomatic
efforts should be aimed at trying to achieve pragmatic goals,
rather than creating rhetorical effect. Quiet diplomacy is for
more effective than public posturing.
We sincerely
hope that the military campaign would be short-lived. We are concerned
about human lives – Iraqis and others. We are also concerned about
refugee flows. The sovereignty and integrity of Iraq should be
fully preserved and so should its secular traditions. Sectarian
and ethnic conflict should not be allowed to divide the country.
We have been
in touch with all major countries to share our perspectives on
these matters. I had mentioned in Parliament my telephonic conversation
with President Bush. We had another conversation on Thursday.
I conveyed to him our concerns about the military action. I also
mentioned to him the widespread unease at the implications of
the concept of regime change. I would like to read a portion of
my remarks to him on this:
"Mr. President,
when I was recently in Kuala Lumpur for the Non-Aligned Summit,
a number of developing country leaders expressed to me their
anxiety that military action for regime change in Iraq would
set a dangerous example. They are concerned that this precedent
could be used also to change their regimes. America should
reassure the world that such fears are unfounded."
One can have
differences over the necessity of war, but one cannot have differences
about the urgent need for restoring peace. One can sometimes wage
war unilaterally, if one is powerful enough, but a united enterprise
is essential in the search for peace.
The international
community must quickly get involved in restoring peace in Iraq,
reconstruct the country and alleviate the plight of its long-suffering
people. Even if the United Nations has not authorized war, it
should coordinate the building of peace. We have already announced
our willingness to fully participate in the reconstruction and
rehabilitation of Iraq and its people. Our long-standing friendship
with the people of Iraq requires this. Our standing in the international
community makes it our duty to share the burden of rebuilding
Iraq.
Fortunately,
we have so far not received any worrying reports about the safety
and morale of Indians residing in the war zone. We are keeping
a vigilant eye on developments. The Ministry of External Affairs
is coordinating an inter-Ministerial Crisis Management Group.
We will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security
of Indian nationals. Our contingency plans are ready.
Finally, we should
be careful that neither our internal debate nor our external actions
deflect our attention, or that of the world, away from the real
source of international terrorism in our neighbourhood. The nexus
between international terrorism, fundamentalism and weapons of
mass destruction is now being strengthened. The remnants of Al-Qaida
and Taliban are being given refuge. There is a real threat of
rogue nuclear activity and WMD terrorism. Action against Iraq
should not dilute our focus, nor should it be allowed to erase
from the international consciousness, the huge potential threat
to humanity from this unholy mixture of evils.
