Pravda blames Pindi
MOSCOW, Nov. 23.–The Soviet Communist Party paper Pravda today blamed Pakistan for the escalation of tension in the Indian subcontinent which, it feared might develop into a military conflict, reports PTI.
“The refugee problem created through the fault of Pakistani Military Administration has led to a dangerous aggravation in relations between India and Pakistan. The situation is becoming worse and may develop into a military, conflict between the two States”, said a commentary signed by P. Mezentsev and carried under five-column headline”Hindustan Awaits Peace.”
Alongside, the paper printed a report on the chasing away of four intruding Pakistani Air Force planes by India and another on the meeting of the Indian Cabinet’s Political Affairs Committee at which Mrs. Gandhi called for reduction of tension and insisted on a political settlement in East Bengal and release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The existing complications in the Aslan sub-continent,” Pravda said “can he solved on the basis of a peaceful political settlement of the problems in East Pakistan”. The commentary went into the genesis of the difficulties, trading them to “the repressive actions by the military authorities of Rawalpindi”.
It repeated details obviously to keep the Soviet people and the outside world constantly reminded of the root of the cresols in the face of attempts by Pakistan and its friends to confuse the issues through allegations of Indian interference.
It said : “India rightly demands the speediest demands the speediest return of the East Pakistani refugees home where they should be guaranteed security”.
Discounting efficacy of the steps Pakistan claims to have taken towards normalisation in East Bengal, the commentary said: “Facts show that despite the much publised amesty in East Pakistan only a small number of those arrested has been released from prisons. Small surprise that few people returned from prisons. Small surprise that few people returned to Pakistan. At the same time, thousands of East Pakistanis continue to cross the border into India every day.
“The problem of refugees has created serious difficulties in relations between India and Pakistan, but it should not serve as the cause of a military conflict between them. The military administration should stop repressions against the East Pakistan population and adopt measures for the creation of necessary conditions enabling millions of people to return home.
“Such a decision would meet first of all the interests of Pakistan itself and the cause of preserving peace in the sub-continent.”
The British Press today refused to give way to panic or alarm over the Pakistani allegation yesterday that India had launched an “undeclared war” in East Bengal, PTI adds from London.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24.11.1971