NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Govt will consider autonomy resolution: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said government would consider the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

"They (the J&K legislators) have passed a resolution and it is being sent to Delhi. We will consider it," he told reporters at the airport on his return from a five-day tour of 1Italy and Portugal.

To a question if the resolution would be considered by Parliament, Vajpayee said first it would be put before the Cabinet.

About his views on the resolution, Vajpayee said he had not gone through the resolution and had only seen newspaper reports. "Let the government meet and discuss. We will decide," he said.

Earlier in a media-briefing on board his special aircraft, the prime minister said he expects a national consensus to emerge on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the year-end.

He said a debate has been on in India with regard to its adherence to CTBT. "We are preparing a national consensus in this matter and efforts will be continued in the coming months in this direction," he added.

On the question of India's candidature for a UN Security Council seat, Vajpayee said there are indications that this issue will feature prominently in the coming millennium summit of the United Nations due to be held in September.

"India's stand with regard to its claim to a permanent seat in the expanded Security Council has been clear and consistent since 1994. We are happy to see there is growing recognition of India's credentials as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. During our discussions in Italy and Portugal, we made it clear that we would not be in favour of any 'quick-fix' solution, or any attempt to place developing countries at a disadvantage,'' Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee said he had learnt with relief and deep satisfaction the news of the release of 21 Indian peacekeepers held hostage in Pendembu, Sierra Leone. ''I express the hope that the restrictions placed on our troops and UN observers in Kailahun will also be lifted without further delay.''

He expressed his gratitude to President Charles Taylor of Liberia for responding promptly to his request for assistance in securing the release of Indian troops. He also thanked President Obasanjo of Nigeria, US President Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan, secretary general of the UN, for their active help and assistance.

When asked whether the poor performance of the BJP in panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh would result in change in leadership there, Vajpayee said he did not have the complete statistics and would not like comment on the issue at this stage.

ALSO SEE
The implication of autonomy

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report