Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Punjab Finance minister, Mr. Balwant Singh, has given an ultimatum to the Center that Akali Dal (L) would start a morcha if Punjab Accord was not implemented before its expiry date.

Ambassador: That’s right.

Journalist: But it was Balwant Singh who had persuaded Barnala to recommend to the Center that the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab be postponed.

Ambassador: Very correct.

Journalist: How come he has now changed the tune and is talking of ultimatums? Is he anticipating dismissal of the Barnala ministry? Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.

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Journalist! Mr. Ambassador, American Hindus have started a signature campaign to protest against U.S. decision to provide AWACS (Airborne Warning and Controls System) aircrafts to Pakistan.

Ambassador: That’s right.

Journalist: They are protesting because AWACS will enable Pakistan to “track down every single aircraft taking off from forward bases inside India”.

Ambassador: Very correct.

Journalist: Isn’t U.S. providing AWACS to Pakistan purely as a defensive measure against surprise attack either by Soviet Union or by its puppet Afghan government? Are American Hindus proRussia or is it they want India to have free option to make a surprise attack?

Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.

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Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Janata Party President, Mr. Chander Shekhar, has blamed Rajiv Gandhi and Surjit Singh Barnala for the continuing mess in Punjab.

Ambassador. That’s right.

Journalist: Addressing a large public meeting in Haryana, he said that they were not serious about solving the problem. He even said that it was foolish to treat it as a purely law and order situation. Ambassador: Very correct.

Journalist: Don’t you think Rajiv is deliberately keeping the pot boiling in Punjab to ensure his political survival by placating the communal passions of the majority community?

Ambassador. Not in national interest to disclose.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 2, 1987