08-11-2006, 07:17 PM
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<b>Not a leaf moves in Congress without Sonia's knowledge: Natwar</b>
Posted online: Friday, August 11, 2006 at 1711 hours IST
Updated: Friday, August 11, 2006 at 1748 hours IST
New Delhi, August 11: Natwar Singh in his much awaited press conference said whatever he said in his previous talks was just to prove his innocence. âMy first mission was to prove the innocence of myself and my son and to prove my cleanliness,â he said.
He further clarified âDuring my visit to Baghdad no discussion took place with any authority regarding oil-for-food programme. No vouchers were accepted by me, nor did I take any receipts.â
On his return, Natwar said, âI briefed my leadership about the details of my visitâ.
Natwar asserted that not a leaf moves in Congress without Soniaâs approval or her knowledge.
Natwar said that the Congress leadership was fully aware of his visit to Iraq and that he briefed all the details of his Iraq visit to Sonia Gandhi.
No Congressman dares to take any step without permission of the party and its leadership, he said, âand an experience person like me can never do thatâ. Sonia also said nothing about me, Natwar added.
He said Paul Volckerâs links with the US administration is no secret. He submitted his final report at the end of October 2005. The annexure to report mentions my name. In his report he named me and Congress as non contractual beneficiaries of the party but the report has no evidence to prove his contents, he said.
Singh asserted that no evidence was presented to substantiate the facts. âNo where have I been given benefit of doubt. At no stage did I ask for any favour for myself, nor my family,â he said.
He also assured that at no stage any national or international law was broken by him.
Natwar said, that Volcker is on record to change the language of the report. He added that if that had not been done than UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would have to vacate his post. And moreover Volcker also said that he was not aware if Natwar Singh was the foreign minister of the country and that the facts of the report have not been verified.
Calling himself a Nehruite, he claimed not to have followed a static foreign policy. Praising Nehru he stressed that Nehru preached NAM which is not a dogma but a state of mind and is of much relevance in the present times.
He said Nehru not only knew history but also learned and made history. Nehruâs policies were independent and were not opportunistic, he added.
Questioning the relationship of the Western world with Islam, Natwar said that Congress has a tradition of friendly relations with Iraq and the party has always spoken for the country whenever it was in distress.
<b>Not a leaf moves in Congress without Sonia's knowledge: Natwar</b>
Posted online: Friday, August 11, 2006 at 1711 hours IST
Updated: Friday, August 11, 2006 at 1748 hours IST
New Delhi, August 11: Natwar Singh in his much awaited press conference said whatever he said in his previous talks was just to prove his innocence. âMy first mission was to prove the innocence of myself and my son and to prove my cleanliness,â he said.
He further clarified âDuring my visit to Baghdad no discussion took place with any authority regarding oil-for-food programme. No vouchers were accepted by me, nor did I take any receipts.â
On his return, Natwar said, âI briefed my leadership about the details of my visitâ.
Natwar asserted that not a leaf moves in Congress without Soniaâs approval or her knowledge.
Natwar said that the Congress leadership was fully aware of his visit to Iraq and that he briefed all the details of his Iraq visit to Sonia Gandhi.
No Congressman dares to take any step without permission of the party and its leadership, he said, âand an experience person like me can never do thatâ. Sonia also said nothing about me, Natwar added.
He said Paul Volckerâs links with the US administration is no secret. He submitted his final report at the end of October 2005. The annexure to report mentions my name. In his report he named me and Congress as non contractual beneficiaries of the party but the report has no evidence to prove his contents, he said.
Singh asserted that no evidence was presented to substantiate the facts. âNo where have I been given benefit of doubt. At no stage did I ask for any favour for myself, nor my family,â he said.
He also assured that at no stage any national or international law was broken by him.
Natwar said, that Volcker is on record to change the language of the report. He added that if that had not been done than UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would have to vacate his post. And moreover Volcker also said that he was not aware if Natwar Singh was the foreign minister of the country and that the facts of the report have not been verified.
Calling himself a Nehruite, he claimed not to have followed a static foreign policy. Praising Nehru he stressed that Nehru preached NAM which is not a dogma but a state of mind and is of much relevance in the present times.
He said Nehru not only knew history but also learned and made history. Nehruâs policies were independent and were not opportunistic, he added.
Questioning the relationship of the Western world with Islam, Natwar said that Congress has a tradition of friendly relations with Iraq and the party has always spoken for the country whenever it was in distress.