Russia sharpens attack on Pakistan
MOSCOW, Oct. 7.–The Soviet Press sharpened its attacks on Pakistan today and reported widespread protest meetings in the Soviet Union against the wholesale repressions launched by the Pakistani authorities against the civilian population, political and public leaders of East Bengal, reports AP.
Taas reported that protest meetings were held in Moscow, Leningrad, Minak, Riga and other cities.
There had been a marked upswing in Soviet Press criticism of Pakistan since last month’s visit to-Moscow by Mrs. Gandhi.
PTI adds: Pravda today severely censured Pakistan.
Pakistani action had no justification and it evoked universal indignation, said a commentary in the paper marking abandonment by the Soviet Press of its attitude of caution towards this problem.
Coming in the midst of a public campaign here to bring pressure on Pakistan to seek political settlement in East Bengal, the Pravda commentary, signed by Mr. B. Orekhov, discussed for the first time in gruesome detail the grim tragedy of the refugees.
According to informed sources, the Soviet Union is following up the public protests with a letter to President Yahya Khan though diplomatic channel asking him, among other things, to drop the trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Pravda commentary entitled “Tragedy of millions” said: “The tragic lot of these people cannot but cause the concern of the progressive would public. The Press in different countries rightly stresses that the mass flight from East Pakistan is explained only by the unbearable living conditions in that country.”
Mensity of the problem that India is saddled with, Pravda said that more than Rs. 1,000 million had been allocated for maintenance of refugees during the current fiscal year. But if the present rate of influx continued then about Rs. 4,00 million would be needed within the next six months alone.
Meanwhile, two factory meetings in Moscow, in protest against reprisals in East Bengal, were reported in Pravda yesterday as part of the public campaign lunched here.
The Central Union of Consumers Cooperative Societies of the USSR, claiming to represent 60 million members, asked. Pakistan authorities in a statement “to drop the disgraceful trial of Mujibur Rahman who might face a death sentences.” It urged world public to denounces the arbitrariness and lawlessness of Pakistani authorities.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 08.10.1971