RTT file - US Diplomatic Messages

United Nations, Sept. 28, 1971 — A policy of restraint and a search for political solution are the recommendations repeatedly being made in the U-N. General Assembly to end the conflict troubling East Pakistan and threatening the rest of the Indian subcontinent.

In the first two days of the Assembly’s Annual General Debate, four nations—Sweden, France, Iran and the Soviet Union have urged the Government of Pakistan to pursue that course.

French Foreign Minister Maurice Schuman praised the United Nations’ humanitarian effort to help the East Pakis­ tanis victimised by the conflict, as well as international response in money and supplies that have supported that effort.

But, he said, the flow of refugees out of East Pakistan can be neither stayed nor reversed “if the wrong is not righted at the root”.

It must be hoped, Mr. Schuman said, “that a political and constitutional solution based on the consent of the Pakistani people will make it possible to come out of the crisis.” “For, if the tension is not relieved soon, we will have to expect tragic consequences for peace in Pakistan and in the sub-continent.”

Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, calling the present situation “acute,” asked for “reason and restraint” by all countries in the region.

“The flow of refugees into India has generated some serious difficulties and problems,” the Soviet leader said, “and they are not only economic ones.” “His Government is convinced,” Mr. Gromyko said, “that a general detente in the region can be achieved only through a political settlement of the question which have arisen in East Pakistan.” “And that is something in which all the states of the region should be interested.”

“The refugees should be returned to East Pakistan but this would become possible only when their security is guaranteed there”.

Foreign Minister Krister Wickman of Sweden told the Assembly that “even if none of the states involved desires a conflict, we cannot overlook the risk that the severe human suffering and the serious tensions might lead to a further developing of the crisis.”

Mr. Wickman appealed to the Government of Pakistan “ to show moderation and restraint in order to bring an end to the violence in East Pakistan”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Ali Khalatbari said, “his government is confident that the Pakistani Government will do its utmost to eliminate, through peaceful means, the causes of friction in East Pakistan.”

“In a highly sensitive area such as East Pakistan, with its potential for broader confrontation,” Mr. Khalatbari added, “ every effort has to be made to normalise relations between Pakistan and India.”