DATE=3/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA/CLINTON/REACT (L-ONLY) (CQ)
NUMBER=2-260475
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
Intro: President Clinton's address to the Indian
Parliament has been received with enthusiasm by most
legislators in the Indian capital. As Anjana Pasricha
reports from New Delhi, both ruling and opposition
party members say the speech appears to have set the
tone for a new partnership between India and the
United States.
Text: In the five decades since independence from
Britain, the Indian Parliament has often echoed to the
sound of anti-American rhetoric. India was allied with
the Soviet Union in the Cold War years. Indian
members of parliament had often angrily denounced
positions taken by the United States on issues such as
Kashmir and nuclear proliferation in South Asia.
However, as they trooped out of India's Parliament
House after hearing President Clinton's half-hour
speech, the mood among the 800 members of India's
lower and upper houses was upbeat. The legislators
had heard the world's two largest democracies have
much to share in the future, despite differences.
Indian National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra says
the speech appears to have put the past behind.
///MISHRA ACTUALITY///
It was delivered with the purpose of looking to the
future, rather than the past.
///END ACTUALITY///
A senior leader from the opposition Congress Party,
Shivraj Patil, shares the feeling Indo-American
relations may improve.
///PATIL ACTUALITY///
It will certainly clear the way for better relations
between the two countries and create a condition in
which understanding of the differences will be easier.
///END ACTUALITY///
Even President Clinton's impassioned plea that India
retreat from a nuclear weapons program did not lead to
frayed tempers in parliament. Members say the
president had struck the right chord, by putting forth
his point of view -- but leaving it to India to
"determine its interests." Omar Farooq from Kashmir
is one of the youngest ministers in the federal
government.
/// FAROOQ ACTUALITY///
It set an excellent framework for future relations and
future engagements between our two countries. As he
rightly pointed out, there are areas on which we have
chosen to agree to disagree, but there are numerous
areas on which India and the U-S-A could work closely
together.
///END ACTUALITY///
Madhavrao Scindia is a senior leader of the opposition
Congress party.
///SCINDIA ACTUALITY///
I thought it was a very excellent speech. It was also
very positive. It also exhibited an understanding of
what India's concerns were. I think it laid a good
foundation.
// END ACTUALITY //
Members of parliament were also happy and relieved
President Clinton did not push for mediation on the
Kashmir dispute -- instead stressing the need for
dialogue between India and Pakistan. Indian
(Information and Broadcasting) Minister Arun Jaitley
was pleased.
///JAITLEY ACTUALITY///
It was a remarkable speech. He covered a variety of
subjects. There was a great deal of emphasis on
development, the benefits of mutual relationship and
from India's point of view I think he came out very
strongly against terrorism. As far as our relationship
with our neighbor is concerned (he said) it has to be
mutually resolved between the two of you. That part of
the speech was music to our ears.
///END ACTUALITY///
However, not all were even willing to hear what the
president had to say. The small "Left Parties"
faction boycotted the address, saying Mr. Clinton
represents imperialism. (Signed)
NEB/AP/WD/KL
22-Mar-2000 09:39 AM EDT (22-Mar-2000 1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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