Russia against posting of UN observers
MOSCOW, July 31.-Moscow today indicated that it backed India in its opposition to the proposal for stationing of United Nations observers on the Indian side of the border with East Bengal, report agencies.
The latest issue of weekly. “Zia Rubishom” (Life Abroad) reported the proposal for the first time but it did so in a casual manner without seeing any merit whatever in it.
In a long commentary, the weekly argued that key to peace and security in the region, the problem of refugees as well as normalisation of Indo-Pak relations lay in political settlement in East Bengal which respected the legitimate rights of the local population.
Diplomats here noted that this went beyond the earlier Soviet position which had merely called for guarantees of security and safety for the return of the refugees.
Meanwhile, the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council have failed to agree on what to do to aileviate tension between India and Pakistan diplomatic sources said last night.
French Ambassador Jacques Kosciusko-Morizet as Council President told the Secretary General, U Thant, on Thursday, that his consultations on the subject had not produced any consensus among the members.
However, sources say in recent days ‘Islamabad, finding things becoming more difficult in Bangladesh and in the hope that the issue could be turned into an India-Pakistan affair, has let it be known that it would not object to any discussion in the Council if others want it.
No Council member, however, is willing to touch this hot potato in the face of the U.S. position. India on the other hand is unwilling to seek any debate of consideration unless it is assured that the Security Council and particularly the USA is agreeable to specific courses of action to deal with the political problem inside Bangladesh.
The Security Council President also consulted other members of the Council yesterday about publishing the text of the confidential memorandum he received last week from U Thant.
A U.N. spokesman said the document would be made public early next week.
It is understood to contain a pessimistic evaluation of the situation in the sub-continent, coupled with an expression of U Thant’s opinion that the Council should take a more positive stand.
In Washington, the State Department said yesterday it would welcome any steps, including a possible United Nations presence in India and Pakistan, that would restore normal conditions in East Pakistan and lead to the return of refugees.
State Department spokesman John King said this while commenting on reports that U Thant supported the idea of a UN presence in Pakistan and India to help solve the refugee problem.
Radio Pakistan said today Pakistan has notified the USA and other major powers that artillery fire across the border from India “will touch off a military conflict.”
Quoting the Associated Press of Pakistan. Radio Pakistan said Pakistan “will welcome” a discussion of the current tension between India and Pakistan in the Security Council.
Quoting authoritative sources in Islamabad, the agency said Pakistan “is not responsible for this tension.” Therefore, there is no reason why it should avoid discussing it.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Mr. Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed, said today that attempts to make Bangladesh an India-Pakistan issue was a “wrong attitude and cannot bring peace in this part of the world.”
Commenting on UN move to station observers on either side of the Bangladesh border with India. Mr. Ahmed said: “Indications are too obvious that Pakistan as last minute efforts to polish her already tarnished image has geared up activities in and around the United Nations to save herself from certain defeat in the hands of Bangladesh liberation forces.”
“We want to make it very clear that any attempt to sidetrack the Bangladesh Government on Bangladesh issue is fraught with grave danger. Any attempt to ignore the fighting people of Bangladesh will lead to nowhere,” he added.
Our London Office reports: According to reports published this niorning in responsible British newspapers, President Yahya Khan accused India of continued shelling over East Bengal and said that conditions close to a state of war exist.
Speaking to foreign television journalists in Karachi, Gen. Yahya Khan said: “I am watching the situati in. If the Indians have the idea of taking a chunk out of East Pakistan, it would mean war. Let me warn them and the world, it means total war. I am not looking for war and trying to avoid it. But there is a limit to my patience.”
He denied allegations that his military regime was carrying out a policy of genocide in East Bengal was due to “machinations” across the border.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 01.08.1971