People's Democracy

Questions The Indian Government Has Not Answered

• Is it not a fact that one division of the Rashtriya Rifles has been earmarked for sending to Iraq?

• Did not the US embassy officials meet Army authorities to discuss the issue on May 6, 2003? If so was this with the approval of the government?

• How long have these negotiations being going on? Why did the ministry of external affairs spokesman on May 10 deny there was an American request for troops?

• Why is the Vajpayee government behaving as if it is a member of a US military alliance? Is the government aware that Pakistan has also been requested to send troops?

• Does the government stand by the resolution unanimously adopted in parliament during the last session opposing the US-British war on Iraq and calling for the immediate withdrawal of their troops from the country?

• Iraq is under military occupation by these same forces. Does the government propose to get parliament to rescind its earlier resolution?

• Who will pay for the huge cost of sending and maintaining troops in Iraq. Since this is not a UN peacekeeping force, will the government of India bear the cost? Or, will it agree to the US paying the costs of the upkeep of such a force? Will the government acquiesce in Indian troops being paid by the United States to enforce its occupation of Iraq?

• How does the government view the big opposition to the occupation by the people of Iraq? Does it agree with the US that it is a revolt to be militarily suppressed?

• Will the Indian troops act as per the US command which is right now shooting down demonstrators and launching military operations against the popular opposition?