Observer (London)

An undivided Pakistan is a matter of great concern to the rest of the world; its loss could cause even more political instability in this turbulent part of Asia. But the unity of Pakistan cannot be maintained, or restored, by military force; this way leads to civil war and, by further inflaming Bengali nationalism, makes any accommodation less likely. General Yahya Khan - a notably tolerant and statesmanlike soldier - has allowed himself to be pushed by the dominant political elements in West Pakistan into a suicidal course. In seeking to crush the Awami League, he has set himself the task of destroying the party which commands the enthusiastic support of a majority of all Pakistanis.

Moreover, the Bengalis, who form the majority, have increasingly come to regard West Pakistan as their ‘colonial master’ - a view that will be considerably strengthened by the colonial-style measures and language employed by General Yahya in seeking to destroy the Awami League and its leader Sheikh Mujib, whose recent election victory entitles him to rule over all Pakistan. For the General to denounce the Sheikh as a ‘traitor’ may yet turn out to be his worst blunder. For however difficult the negotiations may have been so far, the only hope for a reasonable settlement still lies in continuing efforts to find some negotiated agreement. And if unity should prove to be impossible, it would still be in everybody’s best interests to arrange for a peaceful separation of Pakistan into a confederation of two friendly neighbour-states, rather than to plunge its people into civil war and, for years to come, try to compel Bengalis to live in a State against their overwhelming desires.