Circles in the sand

In the meanwhile, in a letter to the government on June 5, Congress President Sonia Gandhi objected to Indian troops being deployed in Iraq without the UN umbrella. This was before Advani’s departure to the US and before the Pentagon team came to Delhi. She met Prime Minister Vajpayee on June 15 to re-examine the Congress’s policy orientations in the light of these developments and indicated that the party would take a final view after consulting other political parties and receiving clarifications from the US team. She also suggested that India should finalise its decision on the issue in consultation with other Asian countries and Iraq’s neighbours.

It is necessary to spell out the considerations which should guide India’s decision on sending troops. The opposition parties view the issues related to deputing of Indian troops as a matter of national concern, above party politics; therefore, whatever decision is taken should be based on a national consensus. The opposition parties wish to emphasise that they are not opposed to India cooperating with authorities and entities in Iraq trying to restore security, stability and economic well-being of the people. The opposition acknowledges the importance of India’s relations with the US but a policy decision on this issue — and other such issues — has to be primarily based on considerations of India’s supreme national interests and the country’s international credibility.

It is important to note that what has happened in Iraq in recent weeks is tragic and will remain a matter of concern in the foreseeable future. The US has had to undertake an extensive replacement of personnel originally designated to take up interim authority in Iraq. Because of his previous role in the Middle East, Lt. General Jay Garner found himself unacceptable as the chief administrator. He has been replaced by Paul Bremer, a career diplomat. There have already been changes in American officials down the line with a larger number of civilian officers being posted in Iraq. America’s attempts at establishing a credible interim government has not succeeded so far. None of the political figures projected as possible heads of an Iraqi government are acceptable to the Iraqis; no “Iraqi Karzai” has been identified thus far. The Shia population, led by the clergy, is expressing incremental opposition to the US and western military presence in the country. Sunnis and Kurds have their own reasons for being disappointed with the new political dispensation.

To compound all this, there are reports regarding the CIA’s assessment that Saddam Hussein and his sons are still alive and are being safeguarded somewhere in Baghdad by an underground anti-US militant movement. Therefore, political uncertainty and instability can be forecast for some time to come.

UN Security Council Resolution 1483, tailored more or less to the demands of the US, has legitimised the US military invasion of Iraq, post facto. Sanctions against Iraq have been lifted but the US has not been given any significant role for assisting the economic revival of Iraq. The lifting of sanctions in effect gives the US general discretion to deal with the economic management of Iraq. This resolution has led to unease in Muslim countries, particularly Iran. Important powers with previous economic involvement in Iraq — like Russia, Germany, France and even England — have some worries about the overwhelming economic role being allowed to the US. Unconfirmed reports about the US contemplating regime change in Iran and Syria are not helping matters.

India’s decision on this issue has to be taken with caution. India should not find itself in a position where its credibility with the people of Iraq stands diminished. While we should not send our military and paramilitary forces for maintenance of political stability in Iraq, it would be appropriate for India to send medical teams (from the army or paramilitary forces, if necessary). India can also offer training for the new Iraqi police force and armed forces which are in the process of being created.

India can provide assistance to Iraq’s educational institutions. And wherever possible or feasible, India can contribute in reviving the infrastructural spheres of Iraq’s social and economic development programmes. The guiding principle for India’s involvement in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq should be participation in those spheres which would directly benefit the people of Iraq, taking into account their sensitivities and aspirations given the trauma of the recent war.

In the postscript it must be mentioned that any Indian force to Iraq in the foreseeable future would be functioning under the authority of the US military command, which India has not done in the past. Our forces have functioned under our own commanders or overall commanders designated by the UN Security Council.