The International Red Cross in Geneva is to be asked to intervene in East Pakistan to provide a cover of neutrality for an international relief effort.

A deputation from Britain is expected to go to Geneva soon to argue that the present United Nations - Pakistan Government relief programme “hasn't a cat in hell's chance of success”, as one member of the deputation has put it.

M Paul-Marc Henri, head of the United Nations East Pakistan Relief Operation (Unepro), said two weeks ago that harassment by guerrillas in certain areas was very critical. The provisional government of Bangla Desh. which claims, perhaps optimistically, to be in control of the Mukti Bahini, has since offered to accept a relief operation by a “third force”, such as the International Red Cross.

Only one thing is agreed by both sides. If peace returned to East Bengal tomorrow there would be no famine there this winter. Food stocks are ample, fresh supplies available, enough lorries and ships on hand, and the international community has pledged more than $80m (£32m) to pay for it.

The United Nations presence in East Bengal is officially there to “help” the Pakistan Government to distribute its relief supplies, with the unspoken purpose also of supervising and policing it.

M Henri is confident that there will be no problem in bringing sufficient food into East Pakistan. The programme has been geared to the assumption that the shortfall in the autumn rice and grain harvest will amount to some 200,000 tons a month.

Mr Eric Jensen, head of bureau at the United Nations office in Geneva who is effectively responsible for Unepro. said; “The idea is that Pakistan should do as much as possible itself.”

The appeal to the Red Cross in Geneva will come first from two British voluntary agencies, War on Want and Oxfam. But it will be the opinions of governments which will count when the Red Cross considers its response.