Singh tells UN
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27.—India’s Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Swaran Singh today called upon the UN and all other international organs “to impress on the military regime of Islamabad that force will not succeed and therefore a political settlement between the military regime and the already elected members is essential,” says PTI. “We consider it wholly shortsighted to wait until worse crises have arisen,” he cautioned
“Bilaterally all Governments can do their utmost to ensure by whatever means are available to them that the military regime stops its repression and enter into negotiations with the elected leaders to achieve a political settlement with their consent and sends the Army back to the barracks.” Mr. Singh said that only by these measures would the flow of refugees be stopped and those already in India could return home.
Mr. Swaran Singh was speaking in the general debate which opened in the UN Assembly. India was the second speaker in the debate which is expected to continue for several days. Brazil was the first participant. Pakistan is expected to speak in early October.
In a comprehensive speech in which he covered important world issues including UN membership to China, Vietnam, West Asia, disarmament and world economic crisis, Mr. Singh dealt with the problem of Bangladesh and the reign of terror still prevailing there.
On Chinese membership, Mr. Singh reaffirmed India’s view, that there was only one China. He expressed the hope that this issue would be settled during the current session. “There is one Chinese seat and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is entitled to occupy it in the UN” he said. “We have always been convinced that the presence of the People’s Republic of China will make this organisation more effective.”
On Vietnam. Mr. Swaran Singh regretted that there had Seen resumption of bombing in parts of North Vietnam. He hoped that through negotiations in Paris and elsewhere “the agony in Vietnam will be put to an end without further delay.”
Mr. Singh devoted the bulk of his speech to Bangladesh, tracing the events in Bangladesh including the outcome of elections. He said that by winning cent per cent of seats in East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gained an absolute majority in the National Assembly and should in normal circumstances have been in a position to form a government and become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
“The results of the elections so startled the rulers of Pakistan that they, saw in them the risk to their economic, military and political domination over the east wing. This explains their swift action and their desire to continue the military rule,” he said.
Mr. Singh said that what the Army did in Bangladesh and was continuing to do in its massive assult on the civilian population was well known. “A reign of terror prevailing. The leader of the Awainl League, Mr. Mujibur Rahman was arrested and is still on prison. He is now being secretly tried in a military court on a charge which carries the death penalty.”
Killing, burning reping and looting became widespread. The inevitable consequences followed. People fled from terror and violence to India leaving behind all that they had. Their number rose from less than a millions at the end of April to nearly four millions at the end of May, crossed the six million mark before the end of June was over and was rising steadily. “Their number exceeds nine million and the exodus still continues. This is an exodus of refugees unprecedented in human history across any international frontiers.”
Mr. Singh accuses the Pakistani authorities of tearing up solemn, declarations and conventions to which Pakistan had subscribed. It had desperately tried to divert attention from its outageon actions.
Mr. Swaran Singh said. “Apart from accusing, others for their own most unwise and deadly, activities the rulers of Pakistan have taken a number of measures which are no more than an eye wash
formed “A so-called civilian Government has been consists in East Pakistan. Which == of men who have no representative character.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 27.9.1971