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Communists may boycott Clinton's address in Lok Sabha

ISLAMABAD: US President Bill Clinton may have a taste of the Communist comrades when he lands in Delhi next month. The Left parties of India have taken a decision in principle to protest the United States and its policies.

According to Hindustan Times, however, they have not yet met and discussed whether to boycott the Joint session of Indian parliament, which will be addressed by the visiting president.

"We have not been informed so far about the joint session and we will take a decision after discussing it with the other Left parties. We have, however, taken a political decision to organise protest demonstrations against Bill Clinton. The protest would not be against him but against the policies pursued by the United States", CPI leader D Raja said.

The Forward Bloc, a junior Left party, has already written a letter to its other comrades suggesting boycott of the joint session. It has invited the CPI, CPI-M, RSP and the Samajwadi Party to join it. Raja said the Left parties are yet to take a decision in this regard.

The comrades have, however, identified issues against which they will stage a demonstration. According to them, the American policy is not in India's favour on the WTO.

The United States is forcing its views on India. All economic measures are likely to help multi-nationals particularly the American multinationals, the leaders opined.

"They force India to succumb on signing of the CTBT. Last but not least the US wants to internationalise Kashmir issue and is itching to play a mediator role. We are against all this", said Raja.

The demonstrations are likely to be held outside parliament and different venues in other states. APP