Pakistan’s view

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 17

Pakistan’s view

Pakistan announced last night that it would not be averse, to any peaceful solution in the war with India so long as it respected her integrity and independence. Commenting on United Nations ifioves aimed at a cessation of hostilities, a spokesman said that Pakistan was engaged in a struggle for its existence and did not want to annex or occupy the territory of any other country. The spokesman again charged India with attacking the civilian population and said some 20 civilians died when two Indian Hunter fighters attacked a village near Islamabad civil airport yesterday morning.—Rawalpindi, Dec. 6. Red Cross coll

India and Pakistan have been asked by the International Committee of the Red Cross (I.CR.C.) to abide by the four Geneva conventions of 1949, providing for the protection and humane treatment of prisoners, and wounded and sick, including civilians, in time of war. A spokesman at I.C.R.C. headquarters said tonight a note had been sent to both governments reminding them they are parties to the conventions. The conventions also bind member countries to respect the inviolability of hospitals, ambulances, and medical staff.—Geneva, Dec. 8. Refugee problem Patrick Killen, of United Press International, writes that an independent East Pakistan under the control of a Government friendly to India still might not solve India’s massive refugee problems. Officials estimate 50 to 70 per cent of the 10 million people who fled the civil war in East Pakistan are Hindus who may not want to go back. Pakistan is basically 1 a Moslem State with Hindus a small and occasionally illtreated minority. The attitude of an independent Bangla Desh Government towards the Hindu minority is still not clear.—Calcutta, Dec. 6. Warning by Pope

Pope Paul said yesterday that there was a “terrible danger” that the war between India and Pakistan could spread to other peoples. He gave the warning in his Sunday address to pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square.—Rome, Dec. 6. Journalists gaoled Five British correspondents had been arrested in West Bengal and faced charges under the Indian Official Secrete Act, the British High Commission said today. They were arrested at Bongaon on Saturday and are now in Calcutta Presidency gaol. The correspondents were named as Philip Jacobson and Miss Penny Tweedie of the “Sunday Times,” Simon Dring (freelance), Peter Gill of the "Daily Telegraph” and T. Whittaker of the "Ob-server.”—-New Delhi, Dec. 6.