Sonia slams Italy over marines row
Highlights
Demands independent probe into Lankan war crimes Anita Saluja New Delhi: In a bid to placate the angry ally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi...
Demands independent probe into Lankan war crimes Anita Saluja 
New Delhi: In a bid to placate the angry ally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi toed the DMK line and backed the demand for "an independent and credible inquiry into the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka." Anguished at the reports of "unspeakable atrocities" on innocent civilians and children, especially during the last days of conflict in 2009, Sonia Gandhi said that the reports cannot go "uninvestigated." She also raised the issue of fishermen being detained or fired at by Sri Lankan Navy saying that it was a matter of great concern and a permanent solution to the daily violence against them was an imperative. Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in the Central Hall of Parliament, Sonia Gandhi was particularly forthright in her remarks on Italy. "The defiance of the Italian Government on the question of the two marines and its betrayal of a commitment to our Supreme Court is outright unacceptable. No country can, should or will be allowed to take India for granted. All means must be pursued to ensure that the commitment made by the Italian Government to our Supreme Court is honoured," she remarked. Smarting under the Opposition taunts over her foreign origins in Italy, Sonia Gandhi took on the Italian Government. In an undisguised attack on her foreign origins, the Opposition had raised questions as to why the Government was soft on all the accused having links with Italy. They wanted to know why Italians were allowed to escape Indian laws, starting from the time of Italian businessman linked to the Bofors scandal, Ottavio Quattarocchi. Sonia Gandhi made it to a point to appear tough on the Italian issue. In her speech, she devoted much of her time on the plight of the women, urging upon the MPs to ensure that the amendments to the Anti-rape bill were approved. The Bill was later passed in the Lok Sabha. She congratulated Finance Minister P Chidambaram for setting up a national bank on women, one of the key recommendation of the sub-group formed at the Chintan - Shivir in Jaipur. Jaipur Declaration also pledged that women who are particularly vulnerable would be provided a decent pension after the age of 60 years and that destitute, deserted and widowed women between 18-60 years would also be taken care of. The recent terror attacks in Hyderabad and Srinagar figured in her speech. It showed that vigil cannot be lowered. "Our hearts go out to the bereaved families and we extend our heartfelt condolences to them,"Sonia remarked. Sonia Gandhi also referred to several flagship programmes of the government like Food Security Bill, Direct Benefit Transfer and Land Acquisition Bill. T o fight corruption, Sonia Gandhi reiterated her commitment to early passage of the Lokpal Bill. Reminding the MPs of the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections this year and the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Sonia Gandhi without referring to her son Rahul Gandhi said that the party is being galvanized and can face the elections with confidence, professionalism and enthusiasm. She exhorted the party men to maintain dignity and to take the fight to the people, while taking note of the fact that the BJP is indulging in intemperate and abusive language against the Congress and its leaders.
New Delhi: In a bid to placate the angry ally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi toed the DMK line and backed the demand for "an independent and credible inquiry into the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka." Anguished at the reports of "unspeakable atrocities" on innocent civilians and children, especially during the last days of conflict in 2009, Sonia Gandhi said that the reports cannot go "uninvestigated." She also raised the issue of fishermen being detained or fired at by Sri Lankan Navy saying that it was a matter of great concern and a permanent solution to the daily violence against them was an imperative. Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in the Central Hall of Parliament, Sonia Gandhi was particularly forthright in her remarks on Italy. "The defiance of the Italian Government on the question of the two marines and its betrayal of a commitment to our Supreme Court is outright unacceptable. No country can, should or will be allowed to take India for granted. All means must be pursued to ensure that the commitment made by the Italian Government to our Supreme Court is honoured," she remarked. Smarting under the Opposition taunts over her foreign origins in Italy, Sonia Gandhi took on the Italian Government. In an undisguised attack on her foreign origins, the Opposition had raised questions as to why the Government was soft on all the accused having links with Italy. They wanted to know why Italians were allowed to escape Indian laws, starting from the time of Italian businessman linked to the Bofors scandal, Ottavio Quattarocchi. Sonia Gandhi made it to a point to appear tough on the Italian issue. In her speech, she devoted much of her time on the plight of the women, urging upon the MPs to ensure that the amendments to the Anti-rape bill were approved. The Bill was later passed in the Lok Sabha. She congratulated Finance Minister P Chidambaram for setting up a national bank on women, one of the key recommendation of the sub-group formed at the Chintan - Shivir in Jaipur. Jaipur Declaration also pledged that women who are particularly vulnerable would be provided a decent pension after the age of 60 years and that destitute, deserted and widowed women between 18-60 years would also be taken care of. The recent terror attacks in Hyderabad and Srinagar figured in her speech. It showed that vigil cannot be lowered. "Our hearts go out to the bereaved families and we extend our heartfelt condolences to them,"Sonia remarked. Sonia Gandhi also referred to several flagship programmes of the government like Food Security Bill, Direct Benefit Transfer and Land Acquisition Bill. T o fight corruption, Sonia Gandhi reiterated her commitment to early passage of the Lokpal Bill. Reminding the MPs of the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections this year and the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Sonia Gandhi without referring to her son Rahul Gandhi said that the party is being galvanized and can face the elections with confidence, professionalism and enthusiasm. She exhorted the party men to maintain dignity and to take the fight to the people, while taking note of the fact that the BJP is indulging in intemperate and abusive language against the Congress and its leaders.
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