Hotel alters conditions to accomodate 65 dogs from US: Left

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) Le Meridien Hotel, the host for US officials who have arrived in advance of US President Geroge Bush's visit to India, had to alter its conditions to accomodate as many as 65 dogs, classified as ''security officials''.

''They (dogs) are our security officials, not animals,'' this is how the US officials reportedly convinced the managers of the Hotel in the surcharged atmosphere following the US president's visit, according to CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu.

Mr Basu, the party parliamentary group leader in the Rajya Sabha, told newspersons at a press conference in the precincts of Parliament that the hotel's managers had earlier informed the US officials that they had no provision to accomodate the animals.

He also cited another rule brushed aside by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) concering security of a heritage site -- the Purana Qila -- where Mr Bush will deliver a speech during his two-day visit.

''The ASI too has given a go-by to its rules while handing over the monument for the function,'' Mr Basu added.

UNI