Move to break repatriation deadlock
NEW DELHI, JUNE 16.-Fresh efforts are under way to break the deadlock over the repatriation of the personnel of the former Indian Deputy High Commission in Dacca and that of the Pakistani Deputy High Commission in Calcutta, it is learned, says PTI.
Good offices of the Swiss Government have been revived to resolve the issue of about 30 Bengali staff members of the Pakistani Deputy High Commission, who have switched allegiance to the Government of Bangladesh.
The Pakistan Government insists that its new Deputy High Commission, Mr. Mahdi Masud, should interview them to find out their wishes.
Both India and Pakistan are understood to have agreed on the list of questions that the Swiss mediator would ask the defecting staff.
The Swiss Ambassador here Dr. Fritz Real, and the Pakistani High Commissioner, Mr. Sajjad Haider, called at the External Affairs Ministry yesterday to discuss the new efforts. A Swiss diplomat is expected to visit Calcutta shortly.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 17.6.1971