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Natwar Singh blasts Advani, Fernandes

That the Congress, after some initial confusion, has crystallised its stance on the recent nuclear explosions in Pokhran became evident when Congress leader Natwar Singh spoke in course of the debate on the nuclear tests, initiated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

What was evident from the speech was the new Congress thrust -- to delink the two issues of nuclear testing and weaponisation. Thus, while congratulating the scientists concerned for the successful test, Natwar Singh harped on the question of the timing of the tests, and on the bellicose posture adopted by several Cabinet ministers.

Interestingly, the former federal minister took a quick swipe at the tests themselves. "With all due respect, Mr Prime Minister, you know and I know that the tests did not conform to the latest technology, as is being claimed," Singh said. "I will not elaborate, as it concerns national security."

The ominous pause, and the silence this salvo was greeted with from the Treasury benches, was followed by a blistering attack on the prime minister for his timing, and on Home Minister Lal Kishinchand Advani for his statements subsequent to the tests.

"What is the threat perception?" Singh demanded. "If a threat does exist to the security of this country, this House has the right to know. Give us details of this threat.

"When," Singh went on, "did the threat begin? Did it begin on March 19, when you were sworn in, or did it begin on April 8, when you gave orders for the tests? Has China moved its forces closer to the border? Has Pakistan mounted an attack on Amritsar?

In a quick sideswipe, Singh characterised George Fernandes as a "human El Nino who is prone to make dangerous statements". Wondering whether the defence minister had any clue about what was happening, Singh said, "On May 5, Fernandes said the nuclear option will be exercised only after a review. By then, you had already given the signal to conduct the tests."

This, in turn, led Singh to question the sequence of events. Pointing out that in the National Agenda, the Federal government had clearly said a strategic defense review would precede any exercise of the nuclear option, Singh demanded to know whether the review had been carried out as promised. "Has the review been carried out? If so, when, and what were the findings? If not, why has the government gone back on its stated intention? And without such a review, what was the 'threat perception' based on? The Prime Minister owes us answers to these questions," Singh said.

Training his guns on Advani in a direct, acerbic attack, Singh demanded: "Do you have any idea what damage Mr Advani has done? You, Mr Advani, have said you will take pro-active measures. Do you know what it means? You have talked about hot pursuit. Are you aware of the consequences? Within minutes of India taking such a step, the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting and the severest of sanctions, under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, will be imposed."

Castigating the government for having gone against its stated policy of consensus, Singh said, "You said you will run the government by consensus. You never asked us before the tests. You represent 25 per cent of the people, so do we. You never consulted us. There was a national consensus on keeping the nuclear exercise open, but there was never a national consensus on exercising that option."

As did all all other speakers on the subject, Singh driected passing fire on political advisor to the Prime Minister Pramod Mahajan. "You are level-headed, but what kind of crew are you carrying?" demanded Singh. "Your Pramod Mahajan is a charming man, but why are you allowing him to speak on foreign policy? Here I have been practising foreign policy for 45 years, and I am still learning. Frankly, I would hate to be in your shoes, all kinds of statements are being made by all kinds of people," Singh told the prime minister.

Stressing the argument that the recent nuclear tests, while not gaining the country much in real terms, has set its cause back in the international arena by decades, he said, "Diplomacy is about increasing your friends, and decreasing your enemies. Instead of increasing your friends, you have increased your enemies. Foreign policy is different from diplomacy. Foreign policy is what you do, diplomacy is how you do it. And you have damaged both," he charged.

The former minister, while talking of foreign relations, said, "There are 54 Muslim nations in the world today. India has good ties with almost all of them. Millions of Indians work there, and remit billions of rupees back home. Have you wondered what the impact of your bellicose posturing will be, on economic and people relations with these countries?"

Assuring the House on behalf of the Congress that it would stand by the government in case of US sanctions, Singh said, "We will face whatever we have to face, unitedly. But we deserve, Mr Prime Minister, an honest answer to one question: Where is the threat perception? You say you were ready to conduct the tests even during your earlier 13-day government -- and that was before Ghauri, Ghaznavi, or George. So what was the threat perception then, and what is it now? Can you honestly tell the House when, and why, you went from being Atal Bihari Vajpayee to being Atom Bomb Vajpayee?"

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