Bhutto’s visit a counter to Indo-Soviet treaty?
NEW DELHI, NOV. 6-From the manner all publicity media in Pakistan are playing up the visit of the delegation, led by Mr. Bhutto to Peking, it seems that Islamabad is desperately trying to forge an alliance with China or at least issue a joint statement as a counterblast to the Indo-Soviet peace and friendship pact of August 9.
The Pakistani delegation is indeed very high-powered. Mr. Bhutto who gave a pro-China turn to Pakistan’s foreign policy in the early sixties is in Peking as President Yahya Khan’s representative. Those accompanying him are Pakistan’s. Foreign secretary, Air Chief of the Army staff and Chief of the Navy Staff.
The composition of the delegation itself is taken as conclusive evidence that the objective of Pakistan goes beyond seeking military wares from China. In his recent interview to an American weekly. President Yahya Khan said that he had assurances about arms supply from Peking in case war breaks out with India.
The negotiations are, therefore, likely to cover this aspect of Pakistan’s requirements. But for this Mr. Bhutto’s inclusion in the delegation was not necessary. His nomination as head of the delegation can only be because Islamabad is eager to draw closer China in international relations in the same manner as India has done in her relations with the Soviet Union. Of late, the Pakistani Press has been coming out with articles strongly critical of Moscow.
China is shortly due to take her position in the UN. As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council her presence at Lake Success is bound to be felt. It is presumed that Islamabad may have timed the visit to persuade China to press for an active UN role in what Pakistanis trying to convince the world is an Indo-Pakistani conflict and not one between Bangladesh and the military rulers of Pakistan.
Peking has been maintaining silence on the developments in Bangladesh and a crisis in Indo-Pakistani relations developing as a consequence. It was only at the very first stages of the revolt in Bangladesh that China had been reported to have assured Islamabad that she favoured the integrity of Pakistan to be maintained.
Islamabad is already propagating that the visit of the delegation was part of the “continuous consultations” being held with Peking in accordance with the “spirit of friendship and co-operation” existing between them.
According to Radio Pakistan one of he banners displayed by the Chinese while welcoming the Pakistani team carried the slogan: “We resolutely support the struggle of the people of Pakistan to safeguard their independence against foreign aggression and intervention.”
It is doubted that Islamabad will be able to draw China into a direct involvement in the present conflict in the Indo-Pakistani sub-continent. But the visit can be and is being used to boost public morale in West Pakistan and create confusion among the freedom fighters in Bangladesh.
Agencies add: Mr. Bhutto resumed his talks with Chinese leaders in Peking today. Radio Pakistan reported, says UNI.
The Radio quoted the New China News Agency as saying that yesterday’s talks between the delegation and the Chinese leaders were held in a “friendly atmosphere.”
Tanjug, in a despatch from Peking quoted a member of the delegation, Dr. Bhatti as saying that pullback by the forces of India and Pakistan from the border as one of the first and foremost conditions for a durable settlement of the current crisis in the sub-continent.
The refugee question was the next issue to be tackled. In this, the UN. made stronger by the entry of China, could play a “role of importance.”
He said China was “one of the most important neighbours and friends of Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, the departure next week of Peking’s delegation for the UN Assembly could be regarded as a factor in the visit a senior Pakistani official said today in Peking.
Pakistan’s chief of External publicity at the Information Ministry, Mr. Bhatty, told a Press conference “India’s border activity could be raised in the UN Security council as posing a possible threat to peace. But he declined to say whether Pakistan had asked china to raise the matter in the Council.
He said the Vice Foreign Minister Chiao Kuan Hua, chief of the Chinese UN delegation was not present last-night when lengthy talks between Mr. Bhutto’s mission and Premier Chou En-Lai opened here.
While the talks continue Ambassadorial-level diplomatic exchange between China and Pakistan have been virtually at a standstill for some weeks, Pakistan having stripped its Ambassador at Peking, Mr. K. M. Kaiser, who is from East Bengal of all powers, according to well informed sources at Mujibnagar.
Mr. Kaiser, who is senior to the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Sultan Mohammed Khan, had been transferred to Islamabad some weeks ago but the order was cancelled subsequently for no apparent reason.
Four other Bengali employees in the embassy are also being treated similarly.
These sources pointed out that Mr. Kaiser had not been included in the delegation now on a visit to Peking though in normal course he should have been a member of it.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 7.11.1971