1971-12-20
By Fox Butterfield
Page: 14
BARS PRESSURES FROM OUTSIDERS Any Withdrawal Decision to 'Be Our Own,'
Defense Chief Says — Front Quiet
NEW DELHI, Dec. 19 — The western front between India and Pakistan remained quiet again today, on the second day of the cease‐fire, as India awaited word from Rawalpindi on who would lead the Pakistani Government in negotiations.
Official sources In New Delhi said that India had no clear information on the changing political situation in the Pakistani capital, where President Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan was reported to be on the verge of resigning in favor of a civilian government.
The Indian sources said that any negotiations would now have to wait for the formation of the new Pakistani regime. The major issues to be resolved are the repatriation of prisoners, the disposition of territory captured by the two sides on the western frontier, and the release of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, the East Pakistani Bengali leader who is in prison in West Pakistan on charges of treason.
The Indian Government is believed to feel that without the release of Sheik Mujib the political situation in East Pakistan could become chaotic. India is consequently expected to make the Shiek's release its major demand in any negotiations.
The Indian Defense Minister, Jagjivan Ram, told a mass rally celebrating India's victory to day that any decision on withdrawal from occupied Pakistani territory “will be our own” and “no outside pressure will be allowed to influence it.”