HINDUSTAN STANDARD, OCTOBER 5, 1971
SOVIET ATTITUDE STIMULATES OPTIMISM AT MUJIBNAGAR
Mujibnagar. October, 4. The Moscow talks between the Indian Prime Minister and the Soviet leaders have stimulated a sense of cautious optimism both in the Government and political circles here regarding the Soviet attitude towards the Bangladesh question.
The basis for this optimism appears to be the Indo-Soviet joint statement issued at the end of discussions and a note prepared on the subject by the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mr. M. Alam after his talks with the Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. T.N. Kaul and other officials in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh Government is convinced that the Indo-Soviet joint statement reflects a deep understanding of the Bangladesh issue in the Kremlin.
In the opinion of the Bangladesh Government the Soviet Union by suggesting a political solution that will take into account “the wishes, the inalienable rights and lawful interests of the people of East Bengal” has come closer to acknowledging independence for Bangladesh as an essential condition. The Bangladesh Government has made it clear that the people will not accept any solution other than complete independence for Bangladesh. It therefore follows that the three basic principles spelt out in the Indo- Soviet statement for a political settlement must necessarily confirm to this essential demand of the people.
The views of Bangladesh on this point are very clear. The elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh have decided not to rest till full freedom for Bangladesh has been achieved. And the decision is irrevocable. So there is no room for any speculations about political settlement of the issue. The Bangladesh Cabinet which met here on Saturday to study the implications of the Moscow talks between the Indian Prime Minister and the Soviet leaders on the war of liberation concluded that necessary emphasis had been given on the question of “the return of the refugees to their homes with honor and dignity”.
The Cabinet however feels that the evacuees can be persuaded to return only when Bangladesh becomes fully independent.
A Cabinet communiqué issued at the end of discussions however made it quite clear that the liberation war in Bangladesh would not be slackened whatever the outcome of diplomatic exercises went. “Total independence is our goal” the Communiqué said.
In this context, the communiqué pointed out that the Bangladesh Government was not prepared even to consider any proposal for settlement that did not ensure complete independence for Bangladesh. This point was specifically highlighted in the communiqué to restrain the countries and the Governments who might be considering alternative proposals for settlement.