Pakistan buys coastal vessels from Japan
TOKYO, OCT. 11– Five coastal vessels, acquired by Pakistan from Japan, sailed for East Bengal in Saturday to join three others from China and one or more from, Western countries to help increase the mobility of Pakistani troops. It was learn here today, says PTI.
The five vessels were provided by two Japanese shipbuilders in a commercial deal after the Pakistani military authorities had embarked on a crash programme to replenish their crippled coastal fleck which is vital for transportation of military and other essential commodities.
The Japanese Government had been formally kept out of the deal and the Pakistani Government was reported to have made a down payment of 30 to 40 per cent of the price. The balance is to be paid in 6 months.
The vessels 1 expected to reach the East Bengal coast in three weeks, would then he handed over to Pakistan crew.
It was not known if the Japanese suppliers had received any assurance from the Yahya regime that these vessels would not be put to any military use. Japanese Jeeps given to move relief to cyclone-affected areas in East Bengal were freely and openly used by the West Pakistani authorities in their offensive against the Bangladesh liberation army. These vehicles are known to be still in military use.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 12.10.1971