'My administration fixed rift between US, India'

Former US president Bill Clinton, who delivered the keynote address that kicked off the 16th annual conference of the Telugu Association of North America in Washington, DC, said it was his administration that repaired the long-standing rift between the United States and India that had lingered on long after the demise of the Cold War.

Speaking to over 3,000 Indian-American Telugus, who had gathered in the cavernous ballroom of the Washington Convention Center and who gave him a sustained standing ovation at the beginning and end of his remarks, Clinton said, "One of the most important objectives that our administration achieved in foreign policy was the repairing of the long rift between the United States and India, and building a genuine partnership and friendship."

Clinton recalled, "When I welcomed former prime minister (Narasimha) Rao to the White House in 1994, after the long years at which we were separated over Cold War issues, which had not been relevant for some time, I though we had an opportunity to work on a number of issues, and we did."

"I was frankly a little jealous when both my wife and daughter got to go to India during my first term as president and came home telling me what a wonderful opportunity I had missed," Clinton added.

"In 2000, I was able to rectify that," he said, "and that of course is when I also had my great trip to Hyderabad, but I was also honoured to address the Indian Parliament, something which I will never forget."

Clinton also informed the audience that "I was glad in 1999 -- eight years ago yesterday -- on July 4, our independence day, to meet with the then prime minister of Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif) and do what I could to move the troops of the Pakistani Army back across the Line of Control (in Kashmir during the Kargil crsis) to avert a major political crisis and a potential military conflict."

He said that since leaving the White House, "I've had three great opportunities to continue to work in India for which I am very grateful."

Clinton said these were after the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, the tsunami that struck parts of India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, and to help alleviate the HIV/AIDS pandemic in India and also the developing countries worldwide, especially sub-Saharan Africa.

Clinton worked with Indian pharmaceutical firms to provide generic drugs to these AIDS victims at affordable prices.

While acknowledging that all of these experiences were extremely rewarding, Clinton said, "Perhaps the most important thing for me personally is the work that I have been able to do in India with HIV and AIDS."

Earlier, Clinton was given a rousing introduction by visiting former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu, who said Clinton was so popular in India that he could run for the job of prime minister and easily win.

"Though it's a privilege, it's very difficult to introduce a person who needs no introduction," Naidu said, and added, "President Clinton, as all of you are aware is a very charismatic statesman, a humanitarian and perhaps the most popular (American) president the world has ever had. A person who is the biggest example for all of us -- a person, born in rural Arkansas in a humble family, who was able to rise to the world's most powerful position is a testimony to the real strength of democracy."

"He is a role model to emulate…," Naidu said and reminisced about Clinton's visit to India and the more than four hours he spent in Hyderabad. "He has spent a wonderful time in Hyderabad. All Telugu people remember that and even now we are unable to forget (those) memories."

Naidu said that for the past nine days, he had been travelling all across the US and was elated over the confidence "Indians have, especially Telugu people," and couldn't imagine how well they were doing in their adopted home in America.

"I am having total confidence today -- (and ) Bill Clinton is here -- that future Indians, especially Telugu people will play a very major role not only in employment, but in all walks of life. The credit goes to Bill Clinton -- he has motivated us, he has inspired us in a big way and we are thankful to him."

Naidu said the organisers had told him a few days ago that they were expecting about 1,000 people for the opening of the convention, "but now the crowd is more than 3,000-strong and that is because of his (Clinton's) charisma, his popularity."

"Because of Constitutional problems, he is unable to contest a third time in the United States. (But), he is so popular that if he contests in India also, he will become the prime minister," he added, and the crowd simply roared and broke out in thunderous applause.

Clinton while thanking Naidu for the introduction and the audience for the welcome, and reminiscing about his visit to Hyderabad, said, "When I got to Andhra Pradesh, there were these huge banners, all over with his (Naidu's) picture and my picture, and I felt like a rock star instead of a politician."

And then he added to peals of laughter, "When you are getting old and gray, to feel like a rock star is a very good thing."

Clinton thanked the organisers and "all the members of the Telugu community who've made such remarkable contributions to the United States and thank you for coming here to celebrate your art and culture, including having the wonderful dancers here when I came on stage."

"I wish they hadn't left," he said, to much laughter, "because then you could look at them and listen to me and it would be far more interesting."

Before he came on stage, Clinton, considered the most potent fund-raising weapon in his wife Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, who is now being let loose in the wake of her rival Senator Barack Obama's campaign having raised more money in the second quarter, posed for photographs with several hundred high rollers who paid $4,600, $2,300 and $1,000 to have breakfast with him and have a photo taken with him (only those who paid $4,600 or $2,300) and is estimated to have collected over $1 million for the former first lady's campaign.

Following his speech, Clinton was also handed over a check for another $1 million for his Clinton Foundation to help in its work to alleviate the scourge of HIV/AIDS in India.