Pak bid to stall Geneva debate fails
GENAEV, JULY 6 The 51st session of the U. N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which opened here yesterday will debate the question of Bangladesh evacuees despite an objection by Pakistan reports AFP.
This is a break with the tradition under which a report by the High Commissioner for Refugees is sent straight on to the General Assembly.
Several countries including New Zealand and Yugoslavia, requested the debate. They also asked for a special reports from the High Commissioner Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.
A message from Secretary General U. Thant who had to stay in New York because of illness, said there was a growing sense of concern that international efforts at times of catastrophes fell “considerably short of the needs”.
Referring to the refugee problem India U. Thant said: “There is thus no doubt as to the necessary for major strengthening of existing arrangements within the U. N. system and for ensuring that international action in emergency situations measures up to the resources and technical capabilities of modern society”.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 7.7.1971