Decision On Goa Expected

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 15

Decision On Goa Expected

( N.Z.P.A .-Reuter —CopyrlpM) NEW DELHI, December 16. The crucial decision on whether or not India would invade Goa was likely to be made this week-end, according to diplomatic observers in New Delhi. There was a growing belief that if the Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) decided to take Goa by force, the Indian Army would march within two or three days.

Observers said that this was a week-end of crucial decisions on the Goa crisis and that if there was no showdown by early next week an invasion may be delayed indefinitely. They said Mr Nehru was anxious to avoid military operations over Christmas in a region where 40 per cent, of the population are Roman Catholics. His military advisers said the two and a half divisions of Indian troops poised along the border might need more than a vzeek to overcome Portuguese resistance in the rugged 1300 square miles pocket on the western coast An Indian spokesman today accused Portugal of “massing troops in a menacing manner” along the central part of the border of its biggest Indian enclave, Goa. The spokesman also said the United Arab Republic had refused entry into the Suez Canal of a Portuguese ship loaded with arms and troops for Goa. No Incidents There was little change in the tense military situation along the Goa border, and no major incident was reported today. The flow of evacuees from Goa continued in Karachi today. Flights between Goa and Karachi had been stopped temporarily yesterday at Goa's request. Twenty-two women and children arrived this morning, the British United Press reoorted. They reported no fighting except some frontier shooting involving only “bandits.”

More than 850 women and children have arrived in Karachi since Wednesday. The United Nations Secretary-General <U Thant > has sent a message to the Portuguese Prime Minister (Dr. Salazar) suggesting that negotiations should be opened immediately to bring a speedy settlement of the Goan situation. He has sent a similar message to Mr Nehru. In his message to Dr. Salazar, U Thant asked him to co-operate in attempts to ensure that the serious situation would not deteriorate so as to constitute a threat to peace and security.