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 Envoy seeks India's help to
build a democratic Iraq

What is India News Service, Saturday, 5 February 2005, 1400 hrs IST
The United States has not asked India for troops for Iraq since June 30 last, the US Ambassador in Delhi, David C. Mulford, has said.

At a joint press conference with Iraq\92s Charge d\92 Affaires Muayad S. Hussein, he said, India-Iraq relations were \93purely a matter between two sovereign governments now that elections have been held in Iraq.\94

Mulford also made it clear that in case the new government in Iraq were to ask for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, it would comply by the decision. He described the January 30 elections in Iraq as a \93major setback to the forces of terrorism\94.

On his part, Hussein said the US-led forces were required to be there in Iraq for some more time. \91\92I am confident that even the opponents of these forces are not demanding their immediate withdrawal. They want a time-table for the pullout of these forces, which cannot be decided at this point of time.\92\92

The Iraqi envoy described India as \93one of the best and most mature democracies in the world\94 and sought New Delhi\92s assistance in strengthening democratic institutions in the war-torn country as well as in its economic reconstruction.

\93The new Iraq can grow as an important partner in various fields with India. Both nations have many common grounds \97 our age-old cultural relations and the common history,\94 Mr Hussein said.

Mr Hussein was at pains to emphasise that in the new Iraqi scenario, there were lots of opportunities for the Indian business community, which could re-establish its old position. India had been actively involved in constructing the Iraqi economy in the past several decades, he noted.
Spotlight
Dismissal of BJP government in Goa

 BJP plans legal action: The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to fight the Goa case both legally and politically for it believes that the Governor's action in dismissing the Manohar Parrikar Government was "illegal and unconstitutional." 

 6 Cong MLAs threaten to quit: Six MLAs from the Congress party in Goa are threatening to topple the two-day old Pratapsingh Rane government by resigning from the Assembly thereby pushing the government to a minority.

Congress confident: The Congress central leadership hopes that the Goa Chief Minister, Pratapsinh Rane, would be able to secure a vote of confidence within a week.

No help from BJP's plea to Kalam: After having knocked at the doors of the President, the BJP today decided to wage a political battle against the Congress over the \93illegal\94 dismissal of Manohar Parrikar Government in Goa, and leave the \93legal option\94 open to the dismissed Chief Minister.

Trial proceedings against Hinduja brothers stayed: The Delhi High Court today stayed the trial proceedings against S.P. Hinduja, G.P Hinduja and P.P. Hinduja in the Bofors gun deal case.

Many facing criminal charges in fray: A dozen persons facing criminal charges have joined the electoral fray in Bihar. And, where they are not contesting themselves, they have fielded their wives, mostly on the symbols of parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Assistance to fishermen must be 100 per cent grant, says Jayalalithaa: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, has written to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, emphasising that the assistance to the tsunami-affected fishermen should be on a 100 per cent grant basis. 

BSNL plea on tariff: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited challenged before the Supreme Court an order of the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal asking it to extend its reduced tariff package for 50-200 km distance.

Police close Anara Gupta case: The Jammu and Kashmir police closed investigations in the Anara Gupta case. The decision comes after forensic tests confirmed last month that the person who acted in the pornographic video compact disc was not Gupta.


States

 Kolkata college girl abducted: A businessman's daughter was abducted today in broad daylight from the Salt Lake area near here. Four armed men dragged Roma (20), daughter of Satyanarayan Jhawar of Salt Lake's CB Block, out of her car and whisked her away.
PSSSB a drain as ban on recruitments on: In all, they are 11. Their monthly salary bill is in the range of Rs 4 lakh. And that bill is picked up by the cash-starved Punjab Government. But what job do they perform for taking the salary?

INLD candidate booked for driver\92s murder: Thousands of persons assembled in the village to attend the cremation of Kulbir Singh, who fell prey to poll violence yesterday. Kulbir, who was driving the car of Congress candidate Randhir Singh Dhira, was shot dead near Mirchpur village in the Barwala constituency.


 Neighbours

 Sale of F-16s to Pak still on US agenda: Defence needs of Pakistan were discussed at a meeting of the Pak-US Defence Consultative Group here on Thursday and the US side made a commitment to speed up delivery of the promised multi-million-dollar military equipment, starting from next month.

Talks only solution to issue, says Musharraf: Sounding positive about the progress of composite dialogue process with India, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf  said a lasting peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue can only be found through \93dialogue and engagement.\94

EU condemns Nepal King\92s action: The European Union said it is deeply concerned at the dissolution of the multi-party government in Nepal and the decision of the King to assume executive powers.



Overall

Iraq envoy sought Indian help: Hussein said India could help his country build democratic institutions.

Jaya asked for 100 per cent  grants: The Tamil Nadu government has urged the Centre to provide tsunami help in the form of full-fledged grants.

EU condemned Nepal events: It said it was deeply concerned at the dissolution of that country's multi-party government.