Attack on Iraq unjustified - Gujral

A war against Iraq by the U.S. and UK is unjustified and any regime change should be the prerogative of the Iraqi people and nobody else, I.K. Gujral, former Indian prime minister, said yesterday.

India also supports the Palestinian cause and has a deep abiding interest in the peace and stability of the Gulf and the Middle East, he reiterated, in his address at the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up.

"Any war with Iraq will divert the much-needed attention and resources away from the war against global terror which should remain the first priority," he stressed, adding there is no credible evidence linking the Iraqi government in any way with the global terror network.

Warning that nobody has an idea about a post-war scenario and its impact on the stability of the region, Gujral regretted the war psychosis that has built up the current Anglo-American campaign.

The Anglo-American plan on securing a regime change in Iraq at any cost is unacceptable and it appears the goal of the mighty powers is to gain control over the oil wealth of the country and dictating oil flow in the global market.

"This is an unacceptable intervention in the sovereignty of the Iraqi people who alone have the right to decide the form and system of their government. With all this in mind, we, in India, have been consistent in our view that any resolution to the Iraq crisis must be found through the mechanisms of the UN."

Expressing India's concern on the deteriorating security situation in West Asia, Gujral emphasised that the only route to peace and stability in the region is implementation of the Security Council Resolutions 1402 and 1403.

India's interest in the region is deepening and has acquired new dimensions as millions of Indians reside and work here, apart from a growing bilateral trade.

Alluding to India-Pakistan relations, Gujral pointed out that there has never been an Indo-Pak war when Pakistan was ruled by democratically elected governments and hoped that peace is restored with the newly elected government in power.

"I do hope that the new regime in Islamabad appreciates the futility of pursuing the proxy war that has taken a heavy toll of life and property in the two countries."

He also underscored the need for a "new compact" amongst nations of the world to fight and eradicate terrorism. "At the same time, it would be unwise to link terrorism to any one religion or region in the world."

Gujral also emphasised that the Indian Constitution is flexible enough to accommodate legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Given the trust and goodwill that is so apparent today, a humane solution to the vexed problems of this sensitive border should be within reach."