Russian support for Indian stand reaffirmed
MOSCOW, Dec. 1.-The mention of Indo-Pak tension in a sovietBulgarian joint communique published here today was seen by informed observers as a sign of unceasing Soviet effort to mobilise international opinion to prevail upon Pakistan to mend its ways, reports PTI.
The reference was brief and it merely proclaimed the readiness of the Soviet Union and Bulgaria to contribute actively towards eradicating tensions in Indo-China and the Middle-East as well as “to a peacefull settlement of the conflict in the Indian sub-continent.”
The joint communique was issued following a summit conference of the two nations which was held essentially to discuss bilateral and European problems.
The summit was regarded by many Communist observers as the beginning of a new round of consultations between the Soviet Union and its friends on European and other burning international problems and at any rate preparation for a virtual international meeting of Communist leaders which may take place at the time of the Polish Party Congress in Warsaw next week.
Ealier this week the Soviet Leadership had “consulted” the French Government on the situation in the Indian sub-continent.
Meanwhile. Press reports here of the Pakistan situation have been thoroughly sympathetic towards India’s stand.
Today’s “Pravda” for instance, views the banning of the National Awami Party by President Yahya Khan as “continuation of the repression” which had not ceased in Pakistan.
The Pakistani charge of Indian Army intervention in East Bengal has also failed to confuse issues for, today’s papers here including “Pravda” represented Indian troops build-up as a necessary act of self-defence intended to silence” Pakistani guns which heavily shelled Indian populated localities in the borderland district of West Dinajpur.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard 02.12.1971