Talks between Awami League Leader Sheikh Mujib and PPP leader Zulfiqur Ali Bhutto show no signs of producing any compromise. Mujib is remaining is insisting that his Six Point Plan form the basis of the new constitution. Bhutto feels this is a veiled plan aimed to separate East Pakistan from the West and to form the new country of "Bangla Desh". The President of Pakistan, Yahya Khan has been flying between both wings of his country, searching for a settlement that would see the handing over of power from his military regime to a democratically elected National Assembly.
For his part, Yahya has been attempting to play the role of an honest broker.In public he has accepted the result of the election, says he has no principled opposition to the Six Points and has declared Mujib "the future Prime Minister of Pakistan". His treatment of Mujib is less in question than the pressure, or lack thereof that he may be putting on Bhutto to find a settlement. He is reported to have told Mujib that although he personally does not oppose the Six Points, he will have to convince Bhutto to agree to them. This is extremely unlikely to happen.
Deeply associated with West Pakistan's exploitation of the East, Bhutto is an extremely unpopular man in East Pakistan. His unexpected success in the 1970 election has made it even more difficult for Mujib to negotiate anything away. If indeed Yahya is not putting any pressure upon the PPP leader, he is unlikely to concede anything more than a token amount of autonomy for East Pakistan.
International observers, including British and American officials continue to swing between modds of optimism and pessimism. At one point in mid-January there was talk of a compromise whereby Bhutto would become Mujib's deputy Prime Minister. These rumours were quickly dashed after talks between Yahya and Bhutto produced nothing.
Yahya seems to be the key man in the whole process. If he is unwilling to pressurise Bhutto, or is indeed under his influence, the stalemate is likely to continue. Meanwhile, extreme elements with the Awami League are likely to increase the pressure on Mujib as the implementation of the Six Points continues to be delayed. If Mujib does not get his way in the near future, there is a danger that he could declare the nation of "Bangla Desh" independent from Pakistan. Although conflict is not yet imminent, it is certainly on the horizon.
For his part, Yahya has been attempting to play the role of an honest broker.In public he has accepted the result of the election, says he has no principled opposition to the Six Points and has declared Mujib "the future Prime Minister of Pakistan". His treatment of Mujib is less in question than the pressure, or lack thereof that he may be putting on Bhutto to find a settlement. He is reported to have told Mujib that although he personally does not oppose the Six Points, he will have to convince Bhutto to agree to them. This is extremely unlikely to happen.
Deeply associated with West Pakistan's exploitation of the East, Bhutto is an extremely unpopular man in East Pakistan. His unexpected success in the 1970 election has made it even more difficult for Mujib to negotiate anything away. If indeed Yahya is not putting any pressure upon the PPP leader, he is unlikely to concede anything more than a token amount of autonomy for East Pakistan.
International observers, including British and American officials continue to swing between modds of optimism and pessimism. At one point in mid-January there was talk of a compromise whereby Bhutto would become Mujib's deputy Prime Minister. These rumours were quickly dashed after talks between Yahya and Bhutto produced nothing.
Yahya seems to be the key man in the whole process. If he is unwilling to pressurise Bhutto, or is indeed under his influence, the stalemate is likely to continue. Meanwhile, extreme elements with the Awami League are likely to increase the pressure on Mujib as the implementation of the Six Points continues to be delayed. If Mujib does not get his way in the near future, there is a danger that he could declare the nation of "Bangla Desh" independent from Pakistan. Although conflict is not yet imminent, it is certainly on the horizon.