Soviet Review

Esteemed Mr. President,
The report that the talks in Dacca had been broken off and that the Military Administration had found it possible to resort to extreme measures and used armed force against the population of East Pakistan was met with great alarm in the Soviet Union.
The Soviet people cannot but be concerned by the numerous casualties, by the sufferings and privations that such a development of events brings to the people of Pakistan. Concern is also caused in the Soviet Union by the arrests and persecution of Mujibur Rahman and other politicians who had received such convincing support by the overwhelming majority of the population of East Pakistan at the recent general elections. The Soviet people have always sincerely wished the people of Pakistan all the best and prosperity and rejoiced at their successes in solving in a democratic manner the complex problems that faced the country.
In these days of trial for the Pakistani people we cannot but say a few words coming from true friends. We have been and remain convinced that the complex problems that have arisen in Pakistan of late can and must be solved politically, without use of force. Continuation of repressive measures and bloodshed in East Pakistan will, undoubtedly, only make the solution of the problems more difficult and may do great harm to the vital interests of the entire people of Pakistan.
We consider it our duty to address you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, with an insistent appeal for the adoption of the most urgent measures to stop the bloodshed and repressions against the population in East Pakistan and for turning to methods of a peaceful political settlement. We are convinced that this would meet the interests of the entire people of Pakistan, and the interests of preserving peace in the area.
A peaceful solution of the problems that have arisen would be received with satisfaction by the entire Soviet people.
In appealing to you we were guided by the generally-recognised humanitarian principles recorded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by concern for the welfare of the friendly people of Pakistan.
We hope, Mr. President, that you will correctly interpret the motives by which we are guided in making this appeal. It is our sincere wish that tranquillity and justice be established in East Pakistan in the shortest possible time.