Observer (London)

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva yesterday said that it was keeping a close watch on the situation in East Pakistan and was studying the question of humanitarian aid to victims of the fighting. A spokesman said the committee did not have a representative in East Pakistan at present but was cooperating closely with the Geneva headquarters of the League of Red Cross Societies. The league has had a delegate in Dacca since last year’s flood disaster. He is understood to have medical and other relief supplies at his disposal.

DISAPPOINTED

Mr. Bhutto, the West Pakistan leader, said in Colombo that he was disappointed over the collapse of the Dacca talks. He was speaking to reporters during a brief airport halt on his way home to Karachi. He said the talks collapsed because of the stand taken by Sheikh Mujib.

The president of the East Pakistan League of America, Mr. K.S. Ahmed, has urged President Nixon to ask for United Nations intervention. Mr. Ahmed said the Pakistan “occupation army” was committing genocide. A spokesman said the league comprised about five people, including American citizens and residents of the United States who were from East Pakistan.

In Paris it was announced that the Pakistan Government had asked the French Deputy Foreign Minister to postpone a four-day visit due to start today. French officials said “the troubled situation” was the reason.