1971-06-16
Page: 12
NEW DELHI. - Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said in Parliament today that the possibility of a political settlement in East Pakistan was "becoming more remote" everyday .
Mrs. Gandhi also declared that India was prepared to make "all the sacrifices" and would have to "go through hell" to look after the six million Pakistani refugees in India.
But she said India expected the nations of the world to share the responsibility.
"We are looking after the refugees on a temporary basis," Mrs. Gandhi said. "We have no intention of allowing them to settle here neither have we any intention of asking them to go back merely to be butchered."
She said the problem also involved the issue of democracy and human rights, and that Indian representatives had been going around the world to present the situation to governments.
"We are not going to allow the international community to get away with it," she declared. "They have to realize it is their responsibility. They will certainly suffer from the consequences of whatever happens in this part of the world."
In a four-hour debate in Parliament, some members suggested that India should send the military into East Pakistan to help the Bengali separatists. The Pakistani Army attacked in East Pakistan in March in an attempt to crush the independence movement.
Mrs. Gandhi did not comment on these suggestions. She said a political settlement had to come sooner or later - "better sooner than later."
Mrs. Gandhi declared, however, that India would "never acquiesce" in a political settlement "at the cost of democracy and the rights of people fighting there."
"Any settlement must be arrived at with those people who are today being suppressed," she said. "We shall not for a moment stand for a political settlement that means the death of Bangla Desh and the ending of democracy and of the people who are fighting for their rights."
Bangla Desh - Bengali nation - is the name the East Pakistani separatists have given to the province.
NEW DELHI. - Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said in Parliament today that the possibility of a political settlement in East Pakistan was "becoming more remote" everyday .
Mrs. Gandhi also declared that India was prepared to make "all the sacrifices" and would have to "go through hell" to look after the six million Pakistani refugees in India.
But she said India expected the nations of the world to share the responsibility.
"We are looking after the refugees on a temporary basis," Mrs. Gandhi said. "We have no intention of allowing them to settle here neither have we any intention of asking them to go back merely to be butchered."
She said the problem also involved the issue of democracy and human rights, and that Indian representatives had been going around the world to present the situation to governments.
"We are not going to allow the international community to get away with it," she declared. "They have to realize it is their responsibility. They will certainly suffer from the consequences of whatever happens in this part of the world."
In a four-hour debate in Parliament, some members suggested that India should send the military into East Pakistan to help the Bengali separatists. The Pakistani Army attacked in East Pakistan in March in an attempt to crush the independence movement.
Mrs. Gandhi did not comment on these suggestions. She said a political settlement had to come sooner or later - "better sooner than later."
Mrs. Gandhi declared, however, that India would "never acquiesce" in a political settlement "at the cost of democracy and the rights of people fighting there."
"Any settlement must be arrived at with those people who are today being suppressed," she said. "We shall not for a moment stand for a political settlement that means the death of Bangla Desh and the ending of democracy and of the people who are fighting for their rights."
Bangla Desh - Bengali nation - is the name the East Pakistani separatists have given to the province.