Pak talk of dialogue diversionary tactics
NEW DELHI, JULY 14 Official circles here today dismissed Pakistan President Yahya Khan’s reported readiness to have dialogue with the Prime Minister on India-Pakistan differences as yet another attempt to distract the world’s attention from the Bangladesh issue.
Meanwhile, the USA is urging the Pakistani Government to reach a political accommodation with East Bengal that satisfied all concern, according to State Department officials.
The USA, however, has not suggested any particular formula for restoring peace and stability.
Ever since the freedom movement in Bangladesh began it had been Pakistan’s attempt to drag India into the picture by trying to project it as one responsible for Pakistan’s troubles.
The Pakistani publicists abroad had also been busy selling the line. This was evident by the hints given to the External Affairs Minister. Mr. Swaran Singh during his recent tour abroad that the two countries should seek some sort of “accommodation” on the Bangladesh issue.
Pakistan had consistently been trying to convert the Bangladesh issue into an Indo-Pakistan dispute. The sources pointed out that Pakistan, though responsible for the hijacking of an Indian plane to Lahore, had accused India of preplanning the incident to help the Bangladesh revolt. Pakistan had not yet given up this attitude and had repeated the allegation at the international Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO)meeting recently.
Pakistan made yet another attempt in this direction when it characterized the Bangladesh Leader Sheigh Mujibur Rahman as a ” traitor“ behind whom a “foreign power”- meaning India stood. Pakistan President’s Economic Adverse, Mr. Ahmed during his trip abroad to seek aid for his country’s shattered economy, talked mostly of India’s ‘enmity’ towards Pakistan and covered up the main issue of genocide in East Bengal.
The State Department had under study a World bank report saying that East Bengal had been so ravaged by the Pakistani Government forces that it will be at least a year before East Bengal will be in a position to use any new foreign aid for development.
The secret report leaked to American newspapers, was based on a visit to East Bengal last month by a World Bank mission.
A State Department spokesman said the US Government has noted the reports conclusion that East Bengal was most unlikely to return to normal “until there is a drastic reduction in Government troops and the re-establishment of civilian rule noting that it only received a copy of the report in the past 24 hours.
The World Bank report recommended massive food shipments to prevent starvation in East Pakistan. The State Department said it is working at the food problem closely.
The USA has not provided any development loan assistance to Pakistan in the past year, and has delayed decisions on further economic assistance pending study of the World Bank report but humanitarian aid for relief has not been affected.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 15.7.1971