Lucknow, June 16: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today asked the Centre not to succumb to pressure from the united states in sending troops to Iraq and suggested a consensus be created on the issue before taking a decision. "The Centre should not succumb to any big country on the issue and a national consensus be created on the issue before a final decision," Mayawati said in a statement here without naming the US. She said, "The opinion of all the parties should be sought and the sovereignty and national interest should be kept in mind before taking a final view on the question of sending the Indian troops in Iraq.” Mayawati said sending troops to any country was a "sensitive matter and it would be advisable to take such a decision on the basis of a national consensus."
"It should also be ascertained as to what the people of Iraq think about this issue," Mayawati said adding, "Their (Iraqi people) interest should also be kept in mind." Bureau Report