World powers still mum
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, July 5.—The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Swaran Singh, told the Lok Sabha today that so far there had been no sign of any political settlement in Bangladesh.
The international community, he said, had not responded by insisting on a political settlement as India had expected. However, the Government would continue the efforts to supplement other steps that might be taken to resolve the problem.
Mr. Singh, who was replying to a question by Mr. Bibhuti Mishra (CR), said that the Prime Minister had expressed the hope that the international community would “exert pressure on Pakistan for bringing about a political settlement in East Bengal. So far there is no sign of any such settlement.”
In reply to a question by Mr. K. M. Madhukar (CPI), the Deputy Minister, Mr. Surendra Pal Singh, said that the Government hoped that the international community would exert its influence to ensure that the situation in East Bengal does not worsen further and that peace is restored through a political settlement acceptable to the people of Bangladesh and to their duly elected leaders.”
Mr. Singh, in reply to another question, hoped that a solution would “soon” be found to the problem of repatriation of diplomatic personnel from Dacca through the good offices of the Swiss Government. Since the Government was hopeful that the efforts being made through the “good offices” of the Swiss Ambassador in New Delhi would shortly bear fruit, We have not thought it necessary to trouble the U. N. Secretary General further at this stage.”
He indicated that there would be a meeting among Mr. Mehdi Masood, the former Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner in Calcutta, Mr. Hossain Ali, who had switched over his allegiance to the Bangladesh Government, and an Indian representative in the presence of a Swiss representative.
Mr. Swaran Singh, in reply to a question by Mr. B. K. Das Chowdhury and Mr. M. M. Joseph (both C-R), said that a member of the British Parliament had suggested the setting up of an international commission of jurists for the trial of the Pakistani military authorities for committing genocide and crimes against humanity. “The suggestion is one of the several which might be considered at the appropriate time,” Mr. Singh added.
The Deputy Minister, in reply to a question by Mr. M. Satya-Narayan Rao of (Telengana Praja Parishad), said that the Arab countries generally had not come out in support of the Indian viewpoint on events in East Bengal. However, some Arab countries had expressed sympathy for the plight of the refugees and had offered assistance for them. Some others, “seem to be endorsing the views of the West Pakistani military Government.”
Mr. Rao asked “Whether in view of the attitude of these countries, the Government proposes to revise its policy of complete support for them vis-a-vis Israel.” Mr. Singh replied. “The support of the Government of India to the Arab countries in regard to the Arab-Israeli question is based on the basic principle of the inadmissibility of territorial acquisition by war.”
Mr. Singh told Mr. P. K. Deo of (Swa) that the Government has seen reports of a serious clash between Punjabi and Bengali comloyees of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on June 18.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 6.7.1971