NEW DELHI, 12 April 2003 — Within a few days of the US-British forces entering Baghdad, the scene at Iraqi Embassy in New Delhi has undergone a complete transformation.
The area is no longer as active as it used to be. The posters and banners in support of Saddam Hussain have disappeared with the same speed as have the Iraqi president and his government from Baghdad.
If the small screen is to be relied upon, Iraq is devoid of any government. In this case, whom do the Iraqi diplomatic personnel in New Delhi represent?
When questioned on his “status,” Iraq’s Charge d’Affaires Adday O.A. Sakab replied, “I am still representing the Iraqi government in India.”
After having strongly criticized the United States for attacking Iraq, Indian government has adopted a wait-and-watch approach toward the next Iraqi government.
Describing the present status as fluid, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, “A decision on Iraqi Embassy’s status would be taken in accordance with standard diplomatic practice.”
When asked whether India still recognized the Saddam government, he replied, “I have not made any announcement on this issue.” This implies India still recognizes the Saddam regime.
India’s neighbor Bangladesh has, however, moved a step ahead of most nations. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said in Dhaka, “Bangladesh will not support any interim administration in the postwar Iraq without the United Nations approval.
Asserting the importance of UN role in postwar Iraq, he said, “Dhaka would act as per the UN decision.”
