Massive Pak Action In Bangladesh Likely
By Our Special Representative, THOUGH the present rate of the influx of Bangladesh refugees – about 40,000 daily- is disquieting enough authoritative circles in Calcutta fear that it will show a fresh spurt towards the end of September or the beginning of October.
There are two broad indications of this. With the monsoon drawing to a close, road communications normally start improving in Bangladesh by the end of September Secondly, the Pakistani Army is hectically preparing for another massive operator when the monsoon ends, to flush out “the remnants of resistance”, it is fully utilizing the Regional Cooperation Treaty with some Muslim countries in West Asia and of its membership of the SEATO and CENTO to acquire more arms and ammunition.
Authoritative circles claim to be in possession of reliable information that one of two SEATO and CENTO allies have gone round with the Pakistani’s shopping list of military hardware and not only secured supplies of even certain types of missiles, but also caused the diversion to Pakistan of supplies meant for Vietnam.
Islamabad’s diplomatic offensive for a political settlement of the Bangladesh issue, generally within the framework of Pakistan, has also been noted. Though authoritative circles are inclined to believe this move to be nothing more than a smokescreen to cover its fresh military action in Bangladesh they have not missed a few significant straws in the wind.
In all these matters Teheran is said to be playing a very important role not only in its attempts to prevail on Islamabad political settlement, but also to mollify Afghanistan’s feelings generally towards Pakistan.
On the other hand, Russia staging a second Tashkent, this time over the Bangladesh issue, is not ruled out.
It has been noted in these circles, for example, that while Mr. Gromyko, while in Delhi to sign the Indo-soviet treaty, turned down Islamabad’s invitation to go there on his way back, Moscow has since agreed to receive in the coming few weeks one of Pakistan’s senior most diplomats, who will in all probability make the trip to the Soviet capital via Teheran.
Gen Yahya Khan’s insistence on Pakistan’s former Law Minister, Mr. A. K. Brohi, defending Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is also viewed in these circles as a development of some significance. While Mr. Brohi’s views on the Bangladesh issue are not known, he has a reputation all over Pakistan as an eminent jurist. The possibility of his services being utilized to open a dialogue with Sheik Mujibur Rahman is not ruled out.
The Bangladesh leader’s reaction to such overtures has therefore become a subject of speculation in political circles. Cut off from the outside world his information about conditions in Bangladesh, especially the extent of activities of the freedom fighters might not be complete. It is believed, therefore, that he will make consultations with his party colleagues a pre-condition for any dialogue which Gen Yayha might seek to open.
Confirmation is now available of Sheik Mujibur Rahman’s wife being taken out of Dacca. She has presumably been taken to Islamabad in view of her husband’s trial. Meanwhile, leaving Dacca on August 9, one of the Bangladesh leader’s sons recently reached Agartala.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 24.08.1971