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IAF says it's not responsible for
delay in creation of CDS

The Indian Air Force Monday said it was in no way responsible for the delay in the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff, who is to act as a single point adviser to the government on the country's strategic forces.

Senior IAF officers said they had expressed reservations on the concept of the CDS in recommendations to the task forces on national security, set up a group of ministers headed by Union Home Minister L K Advani.

They maintained that despite the IAF's stand, the GOM decided on creating a CDS in its report to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, however, decided on May 11 to defer the creation of the CDS post, saying the government would take a final decision after consultations with Opposition parties and National Democratic Alliance partners.

The IAF officers said the Air Force had no role at this stage when the GOM had recommended creation of a CDS. "It is a political decision. The Air Force has no role now. It is for the CCS to decide," they said.

The IAF response comes in the backdrop of Navy Chief Admiral Sushil Kumar, who is also chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, opting out of race for the CDS post.

Though, Admiral Kumar has cited no reason in his letter to Union Defence Minister Jaswant Singh for opting out, defence sources said his decision was apparently in reaction to opposition to his takeover as CDS by the Air Force.

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