Clueless nay-sayers

Given the division of opinion in the country, people would praise or criticise the government8217;s decision not to send forces to Iraq acc...

Given the division of opinion in the country, people would praise or criticise the government8217;s decision not to send forces to Iraq according to their preferred positions. But we need to look beyond that in the context of India8217;s larger interests.

The government had promised that the final decision would be taken after consultation with political parties. But the official statement makes no mention of their style or substance. We are also told that India8217;s long-term national interests have been a factor in the decision. But the people remain in the dark about what they are in the opinion of the government in relation to the future of Iraq, and how they would be furthered or not by the decision? Unfortunately, what we have witnessed is the abdication of the leadership8217;s responsibility to educate the public and political parties on a critical and controversial issue.

What has apparently been the real casualty of the process of dealing with the issue of sending a stabilisation force and providing humanitarian assistance to Iraq is the issue of the 8220;reason why8221;. For example, how do we see our involvement as a responsible power in helping restore normalcy for a people whom we claim are close to our heart? What is our strategic vision with regard to the prospects of continuing anarchy in Iraq leading to sectarian divisions, Arab-Kurdish conflicts, or the rise of radical religious groups in relation to our interests? Is a plural secular Iraq a factor of stability in the region and is that stability in our interest? Unfortunately, public debate had been allowed to degenerate to the depths of inanities as, for instance, whether the US would be unhappy or otherwise, or whether we would get a few contracts or not thrown our way.

Now it seems we are more worried about the fig leaf of a UN mandate rather than the substance of the issue itself. A UN mandate would be desirable to enhance the legitimacy of our actions, but our national interests must be judged independent of such pre-conditions. We must, of course, support the UN; but the UN is not a mantra for the pursuit of our national interests.

Unfortunately, the way we have handled the issues of Iraq8217;s stabilisation reflects poorly on our ability to act as a major power. It is sad that even in the case of humanitarian assistance, we are only at the stage of 8220;ready to contribute8221;. It sounds suspiciously like the classical bureaucratic formulation 8212; 8220;under consideration8221; 8212; as the formula for procrastination in decision-making. Iraq has hospitals although it could do with more. But what it needs most is medicines, medical supplies, and other daily needs.

Surely, it does not require months or extended deliberations to send such urgently needed assistance on our own carriers, by air and sea?