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The Chitra Subramaniam Chat

Great to have your response. These browsers are funny things. How complicated, in your opinion, are the documents that Joginder Singh has promised to solve the case in three months?

Rita, I am from India. Chitra's here. Will catch with you later. Just SHOOT don't SCOOT yet.

Chitra Subramaniam, thank you for responding to my question. I was interested in Rajiv because the poor man was pilloried on the basis of very circumstantial evidence. Is Qttavio Quatrocchi definitely named in the papers?

WHO IS THE DAMN CROOK AT THE "HIGHEST LEVEL"? TELL US.

Do you think Joginder Singh will solve the problems ( A + B = C) in three months ?

Would you like to comment on the Indian Embassy/Sharmista Barua episode in Switzerland, or do you keep journalism off friends?

bulls eye: my sights are levelled.

Is the CBI just a pawn, which will never reveal the names?

Judging from past experience, the CBI cannot be trusted to do the needful. But, the new boss - Joginder Singh - says he is serious, so let us give him a chance. Let's say a week. But the best thing that can happen to the papers now is if a judge were to take them and start prosecution. A week after the papers reached India, one is wondering why we have not issued non-bailable arrest warrants against the guys who have been named. I believe the government will do its job -- that is to say try and cover up. And I also believe that we journalists will continue to do our job - pull the cover.

One another thing: are the Hindujas involved or not? Srichand P Hinduja issued a statement this week that was well publicised saying the brothers had nothing to do with the Bofors deal. I seem to recall several stories by you and N Ram mentioning their involvement. Surely, they must have some proof that they are not involved. Else, why would they issue such a statement that could backfire on them? Or are they confident that nothing will ever be revealed?

Sonofagun, on whom???

bulls eye: AT THE BULL'S EYE YOU IDIOT.

Were you ever threatened to get off the Bofors case? Why were you determined not to let it die? You are welcome to answer thse personal questions later. But I am just intrigued that you took on the might of the Indian establishment, not to speak of people like the Hindujas and dared to go on!

With due respect, Chitra, can one deal in the international arms market without commissions and the like? Are not all these agents only part and parcel of the bazar?

am worried about your aim

Hey Chitra, I am so damn sure the guys involved in the hanky panky will never be caught. This new papers thing is a big YAWN! What do you say? Huh?

Ottavio Quattrocchi is named in the papers on which Joginder is sitting and can be expected to sit for a while. We have to ask ourselves one question - if Rajiv Gandhi was not involved, why did he not try and find out who was, considering that he took a beating at the polls on this issue?

Chitra, do you think there was a conscious attempt in the Congress govt's time (Narasimha Rao, that is) to cover up the case? Do you know what was in the letter Madhavsinh Solanki handed to the Swiss five years ago this month?

What is the role of foreign agencies in the kickback ? Do you think Palme's assasination is linked to this deal ?

There was a substantial delay (3 months) in the time period that yougot to know about this Bofors matter and your reporting it. Is it true that 'negotiations' with the then Indian govt. by Ram and co of the Hindu failed, this had something to do with the Srilanka problem and only when you didn't get paid did you break the story... come on, tell us?? Or is insinuation a copyright only for you??

You seem to know so much about the Bofors case, but I notice you come this far and no further. Is it the lack of evidence that is holding it back or have you not figured everything as yet?

Indeed, commissions are part of the arms bazar and it would be difficult to imagine any big contract being signed without grease. but, sir, the simple point is, why were we not told that commissions had to be paid, etc? Why make such a fuss about being honest when the opposite was happening?

Can a government dependent on Congress support let the cat out of the bag -- the name of Rajiv, on whom the Congress remains ever so dependent? or...

Mrs Subramaniam, Joginder Singh keeps talking of a fifth account as if it holds the key to the Bofors mystery. Could you please enlighten us about this?

this sure looks a good way to ensure that sonia gandhi/priyanka/rahul gandhi never talks of politics again?

If Martin Ardbo's diaries reveal so much, why have the Swedes not got after him, to reveal what happened? If not for the Bofors bribes, at least for the Palme killing?

Hi Chitra! Is it possible for the Supreme Court to force the CBI producing the papers before the court? Deve Gowda has a vested interest here & he is not the one who would not want to use this opportunity to hold on to PM's seat.

sonofagun, rajiv sure had big fun on the money!!

Why is Win Chadha been crucified? His commissions were legit. Or do you think the Svenska payments went to someone else?

With all due respect , it seemed like the opposition at the time used it to defame Rajiv Gandhi who subsequently lost power inspite of it being circumstantial BY the way did you ever speak to Rajiv Gandhi or any opp. leaders at the time

I think the Barua episode is a very nasty one revelatory of certain practices that unfortunately are very common. No I am not leaving leftist friends alone. I am working on that story and with a little bit of luck will be able to write it in a few days.

Why did you stop writing for 'The Hindu'? This paper is considered one of the best in India, and if even they can succumb to political pressure, is there much hope for Indian journalism?

Hi Chitra! Is it possible for the Supreme Court to force the CBI producing the papers before the court? Deve Gowda has a vested interest here & he is not the one who would not want to use this opportunity to hold on to PM's seat.

I think Win Chadha should have a very interesting story to tell. You know, when you work on a story like this, you start to wonder what the various characters are like, what makes them tick, etc. I believe Win Chadha fought very hard for this contract for his employers (Bofors), there are reasons to believe he was cut into at the last moment. But let's not mix things. The fact remains that he along with others lied to all of us about the payments. Now whether he took it or passed it on to someone else, he will have to tell us.

Chitra: Please deal only with the Bofors questions. It is a matter of public interest, and we have only you to turn to for answers! You told Star News that the govt has known about the recepients for three years. Who are they and why has the govt kept quiet about it? How did the govt know?

Is Win Chadda being crucifed because he lacks the clout of the Hindujas and the Gandhis? Really sad, especially in light of your statement about him. Sure, he told a lie, but that's nothing much, Rajiv et al did so much more!

Chitra, do you think the media was correct in burning all the spotlight on Bofors. There are hundreds of smaller domestic scams which are draining the nation of several times the money involved in Bofors. The Bofors controversy seems to have shifted media focus to the detriment of public interest.