India to withdraw troops from Bangla soon
UNITED NATIONS, JAN. 5.-India’s permanent representative to the UN, Mr. Samar Sen, has apprised the Secretary-General. Dr. Kurt Waldheim, of the overall India-Pakistan situation and the progress made by the Bangladesh Government, says PTI.
Mr. Sen, who paid a courtesy call on Dr. Waldhelm yesterday, told newsmen later that he informed the Secretary-General that the Bangladesh Government had re-established the administration and that the situation had returned to normal.
Mr. Sen said Indian troops now in Bangladesh would be withdrawn as soon as the threat of reprisals was removed.
The Pakistani Ambassador to the UN, Mr. Agha Shahi, who had earlier called on Mr. Waldheim, had asked when the Indian troops would be withdrawn.
Mr. Sen who had an appointment to see Mr. Waldheim after Mr. Shahi, said Indian troops would be withdrawn “as soon as possible.”
Mr. Sen said India had noted with interest the statements by Pakistan President Bhutto about the impending release of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He hoped the Sheikh would soon be in Dacca.
Mr. Shahi earlier alleged that minorities in Bangladesh “were threatened with extermination.” He asked what the U.N. had done to “ease the situation.”
He also said he had asked Mr. Waldheim if Red Cross supplies were reaching minority groups in Bangladesh.
Mr. Shashi also asked Mr. Waldheim to ensure that the former East Pakistan Governor, Mr. Malik and other senior Pakistani Officials were not put on trial by the Bangladesh authorities.
He warned foreign countries against any interference in nagotiations between the Pakistan Government and the Bangladesh leader, Sheikh Mujubur Rahman.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s special representative, Mr. Vittorio Winspeare-Guiccaardi, arrived in Islamabad today from Delhi, Radio Pakistan said.
He told newsmen at Islamabad Airport that he had come in connection with the humanitarian problems following the IndiaPakistan conflict.
He described as “wonderful” h’s talks with Indian Officials in New Delhi and Dacca. He said he hoped he will have the same kind of talks in Islamabad too.
Mr. Winspeare traveled to Islamabad by a United Nations plane.
Asked if he would go back to New Delhi or to Geneva, he replied. “In this connection, if any development takes place or if there is need. I have a UN plane standing by”.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 6. 01. 1972