1.
GV United Nations building (2 shots)
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2.
MV's INT Delegates seated (2 shots)
0.21

3.
SCU Indian delegate speaking
1.09

4.
MV Waldheim and other officials seated
1.12

5.
SV Pakistani delegate speaking
1.54


INDIAN DELEGATE: "We do not understand why the Government of Pakistan has not taken a step which would lead to mutual recognition of each other - by Pakistan of Bangladesh and by Bangladesh of Pakistan - and is still resisting this vital step which would facilitate opening of discussion for the solution of the problem of the business of war and indeed of all the other problems. We reckon that so long as Bangladesh is kept out of recognition, and so long as Pakistan refuses to recognise Bangladesh, the solution of pending problems will be difficult, if not impossible. It is therefore essential for Pakistan to recognise Bangladesh if she wishes to achieve normalisation of relations, the establishment of geographies, and the solution of all pending problems including the return of the prisoners of war."



PAKISTANI DELEGATE: "Speaking in..... last Friday, the President of Pakistan said, and I quote: "The time has come that we should enter into a dialogue with Muslim Belgal. (NOTE - Bangladesh). We are ready for negotiations if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman so desires. We can thrash out mattes at the conference table. If mistakes have been committed on either side, there should be no hesitation in apologising", unquote. I submit, Mr. President, that this is a clear expression of Pakistan's flexibility."




Initials ESP/1820 ESP/1840



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: After the United Nations General Assembly debate on the admission of Bangladesh on Wednesday (November 29), during which the Assembly 'expressed hope' for its admission, The People's Republic of China served notice it would continue to veto membership while Pakistani prisoners captured during last year's war remained in captivity. In August, China used its veto in the Security Council to turn down Bangladesh's application for membership on the same grounds.

During Wednesday's debate, although the Assembly 'expressed hope' for the admission of Bangladesh, the resolution was linked to another resolution calling for the release of prisoners captured in the war last December - when Bangladesh won its independence from Pakistan with Indian aid.

Although a few hundred Pakistan prisoners of war held by India were released in recent weeks, over 80,000 prisoners are reported to be still in captivity.

This film shows the Indian and Pakistani delegates to the United Nations addressing the General Assembly during Wednesday's debate. A transcript of the sound on film is provided below.