1971-12-07
Page: 18
LONDON, Dec. 6—The Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec Douglas‐Home, called today for an Indian‐Pakistani “solution that takes account of the wishes of the people affected.”
By this language, Sir Alec meant a political settlement acceptable to, among others, the people of East Pakistan. The British view, thus reaffirmed, is that the East should have at least some degree of autonomy.
Sir Alec's statement, made in the House of Commons, reflected the continuing difference between British and American policy. Since Pakistani troops began their suppression of the East last March, the Conservative Government here has taken the more critical line.
Sir Alec made no attempt to apportion immediate blame for the start of hostilities. This was again a distinction from the stand of the American Government, which has charged India with “the major responsibility.”
Britain decided that it would be premature to introduce resolutions in the United Nations Security Council, Sir Alec said, because they were bound to be vetoed.