The grapevine buzz places the Congress party in the dock for allegedly doing a ‘deal’ with the Italian authorities over the Augusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal whereby the Italian marines were the sop for preventing more leaks on the controversial deal
The two Italian marines facing trial for killing two Indian fishermen who left to vote for their elections----what an amazingly flimsy excuse accepted by the Indian authorities---have joined duty in their homeland. Italy has left the Indian government embarrassed and defensive, with the opposition aggressively demanding an explanation for this violation of Indian law and the deliberate affront to Indian diplomacy.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the government in Parliament and outside in making a brave statement but unfortunately, this has not convinced anyone. The Supreme Court has barred Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving India, demanding an explanation as to why his government has refused to return the two Italian marines.
Mancini is probably not too perturbed by this as he has already declared that he would not abide by government rhetoric suggesting he leave the country, maintaining that he would do so only after being declared persona non grata by a competent authority. This, of course, has not happened so far.
The grapevine buzz places the Congress party in the dock for allegedly doing a “deal” with the Italian authorities over the Augusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal whereby the Italian marines were the sop for preventing more leaks on the controversial deal. The whisper campaign that is sweeping through the political corridors insists that bigger Congress leaders are involved in the deal, and the marines were sent back to prevent further disclosures. True or not, this seems to be the emerging perception with Italy clearly the flavour of the month, perhaps even the year. The backdrop that makes all this more believable is provided by the unsolved Bofors defence deal, and the escape of Italian businessman and Nehru-Gandhi family friend Ottavio Quattrochi from every little dragnet that the CBI tried to put up.
The marines Massimillan Latorre and Salvatore Girone were part of a military security team aboard a cargo ship and opened fire on a fishing boat in February last year, killing two fishermen. Significantly, Italy seemed to accept the Indian position that they should be tried under Indian law as the ship was in Indian territorial waters to the extent of ensuring that the two marines returned for the trial after a brief holiday in Italy for Christmas. The Italian foreign ministry in a statement now maintains that Italy will not return the marines as this would be in violation of their rights. It, however said, it would be open to international mediation and as if on cue a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon said that he called on both sides to peacefully resolve their issues in accordance with international law. The Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi has welcomed this statement.
Prime Minister Singh, in his statement in Parliament, has said that if the Italian government does not keep its word “there will be consequences for our relations with Italy.” He was categorical that this violation of “every rule of diplomatic discourse” was not acceptable by any standards. It now remains to be seen in view of the Italian position and the UN statement, how the Indian government moves forward on this issue. Will it persist with the firm line spelt out by Dr Singh to the point of jeopardizing bilateral relations? Or will it succumb to international pressure, and let the Italians have their way? At the moment it can go either ways it seems, with the Opposition of course maintaining that the government is already on the second path and will not be able to get the Italian marines back for the interrupted trial.
Another question that has also remained unanswered in the chaos, concerns the fate of the 12 VVIP Augusta Westland helicopters. India has paid the money, and received the first installment of the first three helicopters. Given the nature of the enquiry and the FIRs filed against senior defence officers, it is clear that the government position accepts that bribes were paid to key personnel to secure the deal. If that is so then will the UPA government cancel the deal? And lose the money, as clearly the Italian company will not rush to return the Rs 3600 crores. Will it return the three helicopters or keep these? There are no answers as clearly the government is still muddling over this issue and has not been able to take a clear cut position. Clarifications on this front would definitely help the Congress led government to rid itself of the sticky accusations on the marines issue, and thereby ensure that its performance on the Italian front as it were, was perceived by the opposition and the people at large as being over board and beyond suspicion.
Unfortunately all these grey areas that the government does not tackle create misconceptions and distorted perceptions that are certainly not government friendly in the run up to the general elections. The Union Defence Minister should take immediate action on the Augusta Westland deal and justify this with a honest and straight statement. Everyone knows that this was big ticket item and the buck cannot really stop at the level of officials whose role is minor when compared to that of the politicians in clearing the defence deal.
Public memory is short but not that short, more so as the polls are just a year away. Bofors has survived the test of time, and the Italian connections have become embedded in political lore. The Congress needs to shake this off, and can only do it through straight action, one way or the other. Rhetoric cannot be a substitute in either the short, or the long run.
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Seema Mustafa is an Indian journalist and peace activist. She is the former Political Editor and Delhi Bureau Chief of The Asian Age. Asian Age column was syndicated to several newspapers including Pakistan's leading daily, Dawn. Email: |
