Gen. Manekshaw turns down UN group’s request
NEW DELHI Dec. 10.—The Chief of the Army Staff, General Manekshaw, has expressed his inability to acceded to a request by the UN military observers group leader, Gen. Tassira, to allow his personnel to remain on site at the Jammu-Sialkot checkpost to “carry on their normal duty”, says UNI.
Gen. Tassira had in a letter on Wednesday said that the movement of his personel between India and Pakistan had been severly restricted and sought facilities for crossing the Jammu-Sialkot checkpost.
He wanted the Jammu-Sialkot crossing area to be free between 12.30 and 15.30 hrs. today (Friday).
In his reply the same day. General Manekshaw said Pakistan had invaded India and thus broken the Karachi agreement.
“I do not understand what purpose would be served by your personnel crossing between India and Pakistan at the Jammu-Sialkot checkpost. The purpose for which this organisation or personnel was sought to be located had been made completly meaningless by the Pakistani aggession on India and as a soldier I hope you will award cease-fire violation against Pakistan”. General Manekshaw added.
Replying to General Manekshaw yesterday, Gen. Tassira maintained that in according with the terms of reference, they must at present remain on the site and they must carry on as normal.”
“But I must confess I cannot persuade myself to have a cease-fire when the vital problem of security of my country is concerned”, General Manekshaw added.
General Manekshaw advised him that mails be sent to him so that he could ensure gaurantee of its delivery. “I hate to sound noncooperative. You as a soldier must understand my predicament. My duty to my country”.
He expressed the hope that Gen. Tassira would award cease-fire violation against Pakistan in the present case and countless others which the UN observers must have verified.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 5.12.71