WSN Bureau WASHINGTON: The decision by India to award the Jawaharial Nehru Award for International Understanding to the Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Yasser Arafat has caused concern amongst diplomats here since it may not be well received in the united states, and it comes at a time when Indo US relations are already at a low ebb because of India being cited, along with Japan, for unfair trade practices by the US.
The Award is given each year for outstanding contribution for “the promotion of international understanding goodwill and friendship amongst the people of the world.” It carries a citation and a cash amount of one anda balf million Rupees (almost $100,000) and is named after Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s grandfather, Jawaharial Nehru, India’s first prime minister. It has been awarded annually for the last 23 years.
United States had, some time ago, refused a visa to Arafat who wanted to address the General Assembly of the United Nations on the grounds that he headed an organization which engaged in acts of terrorism.
The PLO mission in India was upgraded recently to the status of an embassy and Arafat is accorded the trappings of the head of a state whenever he visits that country. Israel is recognized by India but Indians do not have diplomatic relations with it. The United States has no diplomatic relations with the PLO.
The official press release of the Indian external affairs ministry said, “Arafat is known all over the world as a valiant fighter who has been engaged in the long and arduous struggle of the people of Palestine for their independence.”
The Indian refusal to negotiate on the Super 301 provision according to which it has been cited, along with Brazil and Japan, as engaging in unfair trade practices has also contributed to a growing chill in US India relations.
President Bush had personally phoned Rajiv Gandhi to ask him to sort out the matter after India was named on the list. Rajiv, however a few days later, on June 16 told reporters in Calcutta that there would be no discussion on Super 301 provisions and that India would not be dictated by anyone on how to make its laws.
India had already called the US position which requires negotiations and provides for sanctions against any country named under the super 301 provision if the talks fail, as “totally unjustified, irrational and unfair,”
Indian diplomats are very concerned and are working hard to counter what they regard as the damage to Indo US relations caused by the amendment introduced by Congressman Wally Herger and others to press India to stop the violations of human rights in that country. The stupendous support given to the move has caused apprehension amongst Indian diplomats here that such a move would succeed if it were attempted again.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 15, 1989
