YAHYA READY TO TRANSFER POWER
Peace offer to ‘misled’ Awami men
Karachi, Tuesday
President Yahya Khan has promised to announce within two or three weeks his plan for the transfer fo power to elected representatives in troubled Pakistan.
President Yahya made the announcement yesterday in his first news conference since he ordered an army crackdown against Awami League secessionists in East Pakistan on March 25.
At the same time, the President offered an amnesty to members of the outlawed Awami League whom he said had been “genuinely misled.”
He said his main objective- the return to parliamentary democracy- has not been destroyed by the turmoil in the Eastern wing of the nation.
The President told newsmen that Pakistan economy was in “bad shape” and had been made more critical by recent events in the East.
Awami League Chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had for 20 days in March caused economic reverses by stopping all bank transactions, transports and payments of taxes, he said.
In reply to questions on the fate of Rahman, who was arrested for treason, President Yahaya said this was not the concern of the outside world.
“Mujib is a Pakistani citizen and when the time comes the Pakistan government will act as it sees fit.” he said.
The President welcomed international offers of aid, but repeated that food was no problem and said there was enough in East Pakistan for three to four months.
“We will not allow one Pakistani to die of hunger,” he said.
On the refugee problem, President Yahya said he was sorry many East Pakistanis hàd fled across the border to India.
They had been “enticed” to do so by coercion or fear.
The President said he believed the Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi did not want war, despite her political posture.
Reference : The New Nation, 25.05.1971