India, SriLanka and South Africa were to play a tri-series one day international matches in SriLanka. But the South Africans pulled out at the last minute stating security reasons. The South Africans had said that the security report of the independent security agency hired by International Cricket Council (ICC)- Oliver Group - was not satisfied with the security arrangements. But the Inspector General of Police, Colombo, Mr.Chandra Fernando in an interview to The Hindu, a national daily from India, has said that no one from Oliver Group has met him or spoken to him and that he finds the whole thing amusing. Mr. Fernando said that he had agreed to every security demand the South African team management made and assured them protection on par with what was being accorded to the heads of state. Inspite of all this the South Africans have withdrawn from the series, while the Indians and the SriLankans are gamely proceeding with the series with the first match slated for today.
We must certainly cheer both the SriLankans and the Indians for their show of mental strength. But then I have this nagging feeling inside me - is it really worth risking lives playing! If any thing untowardly happens - God forbid - it is not only the players who will suffer but also scores of innocent spectators.
Whether it is a cowardly act on the part of the South Africans or plain foolhardiness on the part of the Indians & SriLankans I wouldn't mind, as long as the players return safely. Let's pray for them!
Friday, August 18, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Indian Prime Minister Assures!
Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh in his reply to a daylong marathon discussion in the Rajya Sabha - the upper house of the Parliament - on the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal asserted that India will not accept any extraneous conditions.
Dr.Singh assured the House during his 80 minute reply that, "any deviation from the July 18, 2005, joint statement and the March 2,2006 separation plan will not be acceptable to us , and the U.S. administration has been informed of this stand. There is no question of our strategic nuclear autonomy being compromised and new and unacceptable conditions being introduced".
Dr. Singh further asserted that "there is no question of allowing American inspectors to roam around our nuclear facilities. Our foreign policy is determined solely by our national interests. No legislation enacted in a foreign country can take away from us that sovereign right. There is no question of India being bound by a law passed by a foreign legislation."
As an ordinary citizen who could only be a mute spectator, I am somewhat relieved that the Prime Minister is not bowing to the pressures of the U.S. I sincerely wish that Dr.Singh sticks to his guns and stalls any attempt by the U.S. to suffocate the Indian nuclear programme.
But what the destiny has in store and how U.S. is going to play its cards in the coming days - let us wait and see the drama unfolding.
Dr.Singh assured the House during his 80 minute reply that, "any deviation from the July 18, 2005, joint statement and the March 2,2006 separation plan will not be acceptable to us , and the U.S. administration has been informed of this stand. There is no question of our strategic nuclear autonomy being compromised and new and unacceptable conditions being introduced".
Dr. Singh further asserted that "there is no question of allowing American inspectors to roam around our nuclear facilities. Our foreign policy is determined solely by our national interests. No legislation enacted in a foreign country can take away from us that sovereign right. There is no question of India being bound by a law passed by a foreign legislation."
As an ordinary citizen who could only be a mute spectator, I am somewhat relieved that the Prime Minister is not bowing to the pressures of the U.S. I sincerely wish that Dr.Singh sticks to his guns and stalls any attempt by the U.S. to suffocate the Indian nuclear programme.
But what the destiny has in store and how U.S. is going to play its cards in the coming days - let us wait and see the drama unfolding.
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