New Delhi
18 October 2006
India on Wednesday shrugged off reports that United States
President George Bush sought to put pressure on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
vote against Venezuela in the election for non-permanent seats in the United Nations
Security Council.
In response to questions regarding news reports about the conversation between
President Bush and Prime Minister Singh, the spokesman of the Ministry of External
Affairs on Wednesday reiterated, "When the leaders of friendly countries speak to each
other, they do not threaten each other. We have already given you details of the
telephone conversation."
New Delhi maintains that both leaders discussed the India-US civil nuclear cooperation
and the developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan but certain media reports suggested
Washington discussed the election of non-permanent members in the UN Security
Council.
According to reports reaching New Delhi, India's position in the several rounds of voting
on Tuesday remained unaffected despite United States President George Bush's
telephone call to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday evening.
US Ambassador to UN John Bolton has said Venezuela has around 30 votes less than
Guatemala and hence no chance to win. So, it should step aside to allow the process to
be completed.
However, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said his country will not abandon its
bid for a UN Security Council seat. "Venezuela does not surrender," Chavez said in a
speech on Tuesday. "I say it here to the whole world, Venezuela will continue waging
this battle."
Guatemala, unable to obtain the required two-thirds majority to win, was left with 102
votes to Venezuela's 77 in the final ballot of the day. Voting is to resume on Thursday
after a day off to allow for consultations. In Guatemala, President Oscar Berger said his
country also would stay in the race.
No comments:
Post a Comment