From Our On Correspondent
Moscow, April 4

Soviet newspapers today gave prominence to President Podgorny's appeal to President Yahya Khan of Pakistan, calling for an end to the bloodshed in East Pakistan and a peaceful settlement of the crisis there. The Soviet head of state, in a message published here last night by Tass, referred to the fact that the military administration in East Pakistan had found it possible to resort to extreme measures and used armed force against the population".

This had caused "great alarm in the Soviet Union, President
Podgorny said. It was the first official comment on the East Pakistan crisis since the Army was used there.

A pro-Moscow faction of the East Pakistan Communist Party is attending the twenty-fourth Congress of the Soviet Communist Party now being held. However, the delegates are anonymous, and it has to far published no statement.

President Podgorny's message was seen in Moscow as an unusual intervention. It contrasts sharply with Russia's attitude towards the Biafran secession, or towards the civil conflict in Jordan It is not known to what extent the Soviet leader's action was brought about by the Indian appeal for Russia to use her good offices with Pakistan.

We cannot but speak the well-meant words of friends", the message said. "We are and remain convinced that the complex problems which have recently arisen in Pakistan can and must be solved by political means, without the use of force."

President Podgorny considered it his "duty" to appeal to the Pakistan leader to end the bloodshed and seek a political solution in the interests of peace in the region.

The reference to "peace in the region" probably indicates Russia's real interest in risking accusations of interference in the internal affairs of another country or of appearing to side excessively with India. The Soviet leaders must see fighting and political chaos in southern Asia as a dangerous diversion, and an invitation to China to extend her influence there.



Our Karachi Correspondent writes:
Althought the Foreign Ministry would not comment, President Podgorny's statement has plainly been received with dismay in Pakistan.

With events in Czechoslovakia still fresh in the minds of the people, the reasons for Soviet concern were attributed to outright political opportunism.

Pakistan is considering the recall of its High Commissioner in Delhi, it was reliably learnt. Such action is understood to be one of several measures contemplated in protest against the supply of arms to separatist elements its East Pakistan, the public support accorded them by the Indian Government and Parliament, and Indian obstacles to air and sea communications between East and West Pakistan.



Our Delhi Correspondent writes:
Mrs, Gandhi. the Indian Prim. Minister, said today that the
Government's interest in East Pakistan developments was justified because of their impact in India and the fact that many Indians had relatives and associates in the area. She told the Congress
Party's All-India committee in Delhi that in the present situation "it to neither proper nor possible for India to keep quiet"

Many members of the Congress Party urged recognition of Bangla Desh. However, the Government leaders rejected the move and the party passed a unanimous resolution calling upon the Indian people and Congress Party to lend their wholehearted support to East Bengal.