Sanctions a mistake: US Governor

CHANDIGARH, FEB 28: The sanctions imposed by the United States on India in the wake of Pokharan-II are a mistake'', Governor of the US ...

CHANDIGARH, FEB 28: The sanctions imposed by the United States on India in the wake of Pokharan-II are 8220;a mistake8221;, Governor of the US state of Wisconsin, Tommy G. Thompson stated on his arrival as the head of a trade delegation here today.

8220;I am just not in favour of any sanctions,8221; the Republican statesman asserted when asked if the sanctions would adversely affect the outcome of his mission. Thompson is visiting Punjab along with a 35-member delegation to explore business opportunities and areas of collaboration. Terming Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee8217;s Pakistan visit this month as a positive step, he said, 8220;this is the first step towards improving Indo-US relations.

It is a wonderful measure and we hope many more will follow.8221; Explaining the purpose of his visit to Punjab, Thompson said that the delegation was here to explore opportunities in business of all kinds from computers to agriculture and from sales to manufacturing. 8220;We want to encourage the business community in Punjab,8221; he said. 8220;We would also like to look at the possibility of setting up a satellite campus of the University of Wisconsin in Punjab,8221; Thompson, who has just been re-elected to a fourth four-year term, added.

On his first visit here he remarked, 8220;we have a lot in common and there are many opportunities to explore. We would like to develop a relationship of a sister-state with Punjab.8221;

On being asked if the state administration, as per US laws, has the liberty of dealing directly with another country, Thompson said that states have complete freedom in this regard. 8220;We have to comply with federal laws, but federal embargoes are on military and other sensitive equipment,8221; he said, adding that there are no restrictions as far as trade and commerce go.

Wisconsin exported about 58 million worth of products to India last year, the major chunk of which was industrial machinery, including computer equipment. During the first nine months of 1998, machine export to India totalled 16 million, while food shipments totalled 5 million. Other important products included electronic and electrical equipment, chemicals, fabricated metal products and paper.

The Wisconsin Senate President Pro Tempore, Gary R. George, Wisconsin Department of Commerce Administrator, Mary Regal and the Indian Consulate General in Chicago, J. C. Sharma, besides government and business leaders, including six persons of Indian origin are also accompanying Thompson.The visiting Governor also went around the Rose Garden and the Rock Garden in the City, before attending a dinner hosted by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

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Before departing for New Delhi, on February 3, Thompson will also visit Chamkaur Sahib and is expected to participate in the 8220;Sarbat da Bhala8221; procession.