People's Democracy

US Consul-General’s

Remarks Condemned

DEMONSTRATIONS and processions were held throughout the state of Bengal on February 13 to condemn in the strongest terms the verbal assault that the US consul-general in Kolkata, George Sibley, had launched against the working class movements in Bengal.  Addressing a session of the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BNCCI) on February 9, Sibley had openly attacked the tradition of working class movements and struggles of Bengal and had also questioned the work culture that existed in Bengal.

In his address to the large central rally held in Kolkata in front of the USIS, CITU state president, Shyamal Chakraborti described how the US itself was witness to a rousing movement by the toiling masses and cities were brought to a standstill because of these movements.  Sibley, said Chakraborti, would be better off taking cognisance of the facts of the situation back home before indulging in lies and maligning here in Bengal. 

Chakraborti added to say that the “US diplomatic brigade have received encouragement from the kow-towing that the Vajpayee government continuously indulges in before the Bush administration.”  Among others who addressed the well-attended Kolkata rally was the state secretary of the CITU, Kali Ghosh.