TIMES OF INDIA, SEPTEMBER 18, 1971
WORLD MEET ON BANGLADESH OPENS TODAY
By A Staff Reporter
New Delhi, September 17: A galaxy of statesmen, pacifists, social workers, academicians, lawyers and journalists will attend the international conference on Bangladesh opening here tomorrow.
The three-day conference organized by the Gandhi Peace Foundation is the first major international attempt to focus attention on the Bangladesh issue which has been hitting the headlines all over the world since March 25.
Although participants in the conference are eminent men enjoying a great deal of influence not only in their countries but also abroad their deliberations will not necessarily have the sanction of the Governments of their respective countries.
For instance, among the participants will be some from Arab countries which have maintained an icy silence over the issue although privately their official spokesmen have often expressed their sympathy for the Bangladesh freedom fighters.
Even India will not participate in the conference at the official level. But members of the Central Government, MP’s, and other influential leaders of the Congress Party are expected to attend the conference in their private capacity.
In all about 50 foreign delegates including two women from 23 nationals and 100 others representation different organizations in India are expected to attend. Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Sarvodaya leader will preside.
Among the delegates from abroad will be Mr. Bayard Rustin, leader American Black Movement, Mr. Michael Harrington, Chairman Socialist Party, New York, Mr. Pavle Jevremovic, representative of the Yugoslav League for Peace. Mr. Daniel Mayer, President of the French League of Human Rights, Mr. John Dunham of Melbourne University, Mr. EI Waleed Ibrahim, a journalist from Sudan, Mr. Farid Siala of Libya, Dr. Mohammed Roem, former Foreign Minister of Indonesia, and Mr. Q. Herddad, Editor, “Afghan Millat,” Kabul.
Draft Agenda
Among important countries unofficially represented at the conference will be Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Ceylon, Guyana. Nigeria, the U.A.R., the U.S.A., Australia, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Argentina, Canada, Belgium and the U.K.
The draft agenda of the conference includes a discussion on such issues as formation of an international brigade for fighting Pakistani troops in Bangladesh, the question of offering military and economic aid to the Bangladesh Government and consideration of the need to convene a special session of the Human Rights Commission.
The conference will be inaugurated at Sapru House and will hold deliberations at India International Centre. Until late tonight, about 20 foreign delegates had arrived. Others are expected to reach here by early morning flights.