Kosygin—Peace-Maker

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 11

Kosygin —Peace-Maker

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) TASHKENT, Jan. 11. The amiable, hardheaded Prime Minister of the Soviet Union, Mr Alexei Kosygin, emerged from the Tashkent Indian-Pak-istani summit with the crown of Asian peacemaker.

The two Asian neighbours broke dramatically through a conference deadlock to sign an historic pledge ending their bitter border war. Agreement came just as it seemed their week-long con ference under Soviet mediation would end in abysmal failure. President Ayub Khan, of Pakistan, and Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, of India.

signed it under the happy eye of Mr Kosygin. To procure last-minute agreement, Mr Kosygin had shuttled back and forth between the two leaders until midnight last night. The meeting on Soviet soil was Russia’s first appearance in the role of go-between in an international dispute. A nine-point “Tashkent declaration” promised to restore normal and peaceful relations. It showed no pro-

gress on the basic problem of Kashmir, but India conceded a long backstage battle by Pakistan to have it mentioned at all. The declaration in the end said only that Kashmir was discussed “and each of the sides set forth its respective position.” Praised By Kosygin

President Ayub and Mr Shastri reached final agreement over lunch only two hours before the declaration was signed in a scene of smiling, hand-shaking solemnity.

Kashmir was the final nut cracked, delegation officials reported. In an interview with Russian journalists after the declaration, Mr Kosygin praised the Indian and Pakistan leaders for great statesmanship. But he warned that much would depend on the carrying out of the peace declaration.

Spokesmen of both delegations described the agreement as a beginning rather than an end.

The Pakistani spokesman said: “It is declaration of intent —a message as we see it of good will and good cheer to the people of India, Pakistan, and Kashmir.” The Indian spokesman agreed that the declaration would be fairly summarised as solving no problems, but opening an avenue for their solution. Three main differences became apparent at briefings today by Indian and Pakistani spokesmen. One was the question of future talks on the Kashmir problem. The second was how the provision about withdrawal of troops would be interpreted as far as forces in Kashmir were concerned. India holds that events leading to the September fighting arose from the infiltration of armed Pakistanis into Kashmir. Pakistan argued they were not infiltrators but Kashmiri “freedom fighters.” Russia’s Role The third difference appeared to be over the role of Russia in implementation of the declaration. The Pakistani spokesman said it was his understanding Russia would continue its Tashkent role. The Indian spokesman said there was nothing to suggest the Soviet leaders had suggested recurring good offices or that India had accepted them.