‘The whole sub-continent will have a bloodbath’: Bhutto
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24-war cries by Pakistani politicians grew shriller yesterday as the military regime proclaimed a state of emergency in the country. The People’s Party Chairman Mr. Bhutto and the Pakistan Democratic Party chief, Mr. Nurul Amin, the rival claimants for the office of Prime Minister, in separate statements fully endorsed official accusations and talked of crushing India.
A number of Pakistani political leaders, including Mr. Bhutto and the “civilian” Governor of “East Pakistan.” Dr. A. M. Malik were yesterday on their way to Rawalpindi within hours of a declaration of emergency.
Mr. Bhutto talking to newsmen in Lahore in his way to Rawalpindi from Karachi, said Pakistan would “stake its all in defence of the motherland.” He added, “The whole sub-continent will have a bloodbath.”
Mr. Amin accused India of entertaining expansionist designs.
Radio Pakistan quoted an official spokesman as saying in Rawalpindi that the declaration of emergency would not in any way affect President Yahya Khan’s plans for transfer of power.” He claimed that one of the objectives of the alleged Indian aggression was to disrupt the process.
Mr. Bhutto was summoned to Rawalpindi by President Yahyta Khan.
At the Karachi airport he told newsmen that the people of Pakistan were prepared for all sacrifices to defend the country. He had been asked to comment on the situation arising from what a correspondent alleged was an Indian attack on Pakistan.
While at Karachi airport, Mr. Bhutto was quoted by Radio Pakistan as saying that “an attack on a nation of 12 crores is not a simple matter,” on arrival in Lahore he said there was “no justification for a general war which is not necessary.”
“If Pakistan is not going to be a beneficiary, India too would not be one,” he added.
In Washington, the Pakistan Ambassador, Mr. Nawabzada Reza said that the conflict with India was no longer imminent, “The war in on,” and India trying to dismember Pakistan.
At a news conference there yesterday he alleged that India had attacked East Bengal and added that the “invasion” refutes beyond any doubt that India would leave the matter to be resolved by Pakistan as an internal matter.”
He said that there was no written or oral agreement between Pakistan and China for friendship, military supplies or military assistance
He said that as the greatest power in the world the USA had a responsibility toward world peace and that Americans would have to think about what they can do to help Pakistan.
Mr. Raza indicated Pakistan would follow any US initiatives to bring about peace between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Raza said no decision had been made on taking the Pakistan case to the Security Council, but the matter was under consideration.
VOA adds: Pakistan’s permanent representative at the U.N. Mr. Aga Shahi said he was expecting instructions from Islamabad on whether to ask for an emergency meeting of the Security Council. He was replying to a question in an interview to a US television.
Mr. Bhutto, however has appealed to the Government not to make haste in taking to the Security Council what he called ‘India’s attack on East Pakistan.”
But Mr. Bhutto, talking to reporters at Lahore on arrival from Karachi said that if the Government did take up the matter at the United Nations:
“I alone have the right to represent Pakistan at the world forum because I am a leader of people and because I am conversant with the working of the Security council and General Assembly.”
AFP reporting from Karachi, said the Pakistan Foreign office summoned reprsentatives of several embassies including those of the USA USSA and China and briefed them on the grave situation.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard 25.11.1971