CPM: Cancel launch of 2 Israeli satellites

BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI

July 15: The CPI(M) has asked the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government to "forthwith cancel" the proposed launch of two Israeli satellites. The party said New Delhi’s statement of Monday, opposing an attack on Iran, "is timely" but it felt New Delhi’s concern would have been credible only if the government had not helped Israel’s military capabilities.

"If the Manmohan Singh government is really concerned about the military attack on Iran, it should forthwith cancel the launch of two more satellites in this series. It should forthwith stop all military collaboration with Israel," the CPI(M) said in a statement released to media on Tuesday.

In January 2008, India launched an Israeli spy satellite TecSar for snooping on Iran. ISRO proposes to launch at least two more Israeli satellites.

The TecSar advanced satellite produced by Israel and the US jointly is being used to conduct surveillance of Iran. If there is a military attack by Israel on Iran, the TecSar facilities will be invaluable, the CPI(M) politbureau’s statement read.

On Monday a spokesperson of ministry of external affairs said here that India has asked "all concerned governments", the US and Israel included, to exercise restraint, and to choose negotiations and diplomacy over use of military force against Iran.

"[We are] against any such military attack, which constitutes unacceptable international behaviour," the spokesperson said.

"There is no military solution to the issues that are being discussed between Iran and the international community. India continues to support negotiations and diplomacy, rather than the threat or use of force," the spokesperson said in response to reports that suggested imminent use of military force against Iran. The Sunday Times of London has said US President George Bush has given Israel a go-ahead to begin preparations for a military attack on Iran.

It quoted an unidentified Pentagon official as saying Mr Bush has given Israel an amber light to start preparing for a possible offensive and that Mr Bush would back an Israeli plan to strike Iran if diplomatic talks fail.