Bhutto mission seems to have failed, says Pant
New Delhi Nov. 9.-The Minister of State for Home, Mr. K. C. Pant, said today that the Bhutto mission seemed to have failed to persuade the Chinese Government to accept General Yahya Khans’ policy on Bangladesh, says UNI.
Commenting on the mission’s visit in the course of an informal chat with newsmen. Mr. Pant, said, “China appears to be keeping its options open.”
“The outcome is far less than what Yahya Khan wanted or hoped for. It goes counter to what Pakistan has been persuading to do in regard to Bangladesh.” Mr. Pant observed.
Mr. Pant’s is the first official comment by any member of the government on Mr. Bhutto’s mission.
Mr. Pant said that the Government would make a reappraisal of the Bangladesh situation after the Prime Minister’s return next week.
Mr. Pant told newsmen that the outcome of any such review would depend on Mrs. Gandhi’s personal assessment of her trip to different countries and her talks with the various leaders.
Mr. Pant reiterated the Government’s determination “to find a solution to the basic problem posed by the Bangladesh crisis, namely, to create the conditions under which the refugees will go back.”
The Minister thought that the next two or three months would be crucial in regard to the developments in Bangladesh.
He referred to the increasing tempo of Pakistani shelling in the eastern sector and said. “It looks that the situation, far from settling down, is warming up, particularly in the eastern wing.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard 10.11.1971