New Delhi: Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on April 28 alleged that at least 17 Indian politicians were financed by ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the United States was in possession of the list of recipients.

"I am given to understand that 17 Indian politicians, who were financed by Saddam Hussein, figure in the list which is with the US," he said addressing a press conference, but declined to give their names.

He said that the Indian government should write to the US authorities to secure the list so that they could be prosecuted in the country.

Terming Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's offer of "hand of friendship" to Pakistan as "confusing", he said it appeared that the announcement has been made under US pressure. "This government is incapable of standing up to American pressure," he said.

"No Prime Minister of India should offer to talk with Pakistan unless there is a basic clarity that the Pakistan government can be a partner in the peace process and India is ready to make commitment to strengthen the hands of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to carry forward the peace process," he said.

India should reappoint its High Commissioner in Islamabad, resume flights and have interaction with Pakistan through South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), irrespective of differences, he said.

Demanding a white paper on Kashmir affairs, he said Mufti government should be dismissed, as its "healing touch" policy was a "disaster" in the valley.

PTI