PM describes Mulford conduct ''unwarranted''

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Ministry of External Affairs has informed US Ambassador David Mulford that his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister was ''unwarranted and at variance with the established diplomatic traditions''.

In his reply to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Motion of Thanks, the Prime Minister said he has ''no hesitation'' in saying that Mr Mulford's letter to Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was ''unwarranted and at variance with the established diplomatic norms''.

The government has conveyed its displeasure to the US Ambassador.

However, the Prime Minister rejected the demand for Mr Mulford's recall made by the Left parties.

''For the time the action we have taken would suffice'', he said.

The Left leaders including Nilotpal Basu and Brinda Karat said it was for the second time that the US Ambassador has transgressed the diplomatic norms and the government should have pressed for his recall.

UNI PC RP BD1944