CPM opposes war efforts against Iraq

NEW DELHI: The CPM has urged the government to make clear its opposition to any US war effort against Iraq.
Reacting to US state department official Richard Haass'' remarks about Washington''s willingness to consult India on war preparations against Iraq, the party said in a statement on Tuesday that India should express its concerns over the situation.
The party recalled External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha''s statement in Parliament affirming India''s desire for a peaceful resolution of the impasse. The CPM expressed the apprehension that the government would support the US action without making its position very obvious.
"In the absence of a categorical assertion that India is opposed to any military action against Iraq, there are sufficient grounds to believe that the Vajpayee government is tacitly adopting a posture of cooperation," the party said.