URGENT MEDIATION

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 13

URGENT MEDIATION

<N Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NEW DELHI, May 2. Britain today continued intense diplomatic pressure to end the little border war between India and Pakistan.

On Friday, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan (Sir Morrice James) made an unannounced one-day visit to Delhi. The following day, the British High Commissioner to India (Mr John Freeman) made a round of calls on Indian leaders. On the battle front, the desolate Rann of Kutch on the West Pakistan border, a lull in the fighting continued for the fourth successive day. Sporadic fighting has been going on since April 9. Observers said both sides appeared anxious not to begin anything that could bar Brit-ish-American attempts at mediation. On the other hand, the uneasy truce could merely be time for regrouping for more fighting, they said. Meanwhile, both President Ayub Khan, of Pakistan, and the Indian Prime Minister

(Lal Bahdur Shastri) continued their war of words. In Karachi, President Ayub said in a radio broadcast the border squabble could lead to “general, and total war.” Pakistan was ready to sit at the conference table to settle the dispute, but India was “denying the facts of history” by claiming the border was not in question, he said. In New Delhi, Mr Shastri

said India wanted a peaceful settlement, but would not accept preconditions.. The entire Rann of Kutch belonged to India and Pakistani forces would have to evacuate “the whole of that territory.” If Pakistan did not withdraw, “we know what our responsibilities are and will discharge them in the fullest manner,” he said.