THE NEW YORK TIMES, NOVEMBER 27.1971
Editorial
STILL TIME TO INTERVENE
In spite of a series of sharp bolder clashes, during which Indian troops have crossed into the rebellious Pakistani state of East Bengal in “Self-defense”. India and Pakistan have so far held back from all-out war. International diplomacy still has a chance to intervene for peace on the sub-continent.
India appears to be following a policy of gradually increasing military pressure against the Pakistanis, leaving the bulk of the fighting inside East Pakistan for the present to the Indian-supported Mukti Bahini, the “liberation forces” of “Bangladesh”. The Indians may hope these tactics will enable the East Bengalis to win independence, or at least a satisfactory measure of autonomy, that would allow the early return of nine million refugees from India, without precipitating a major IndianPakistani conflict.
This is an unlikely prospect. Although Pakistan heavily outmanned and outgunned by India, it is improbable that the military regime in Islamabad will relinquish its grip on the eastern region, without forcing at least a token showdown with India. Pakistani counter attacks against India, probably in the West, are an imminent possibility, unless there is swift intervention by the international community.
The White House is reported considering a request to the Security Council to take up the dispute. Such action is urgently needed. It would represent a welcome shift in the Administration’s policy that might yet help save the subcontinent from total war.