Scholars Call for an End To Killing in East Pakistan

An appeal circulated by Robert Dorfman, professor of Economics, and signed by more than two dozen specialists on modern Pakistan urges the President of Pakistan to stop using military force against rebellious East Pakistan. The appeal appears today as an ad in the Washington Post.

The statement accuses the Pakistani government of using tanks, planes and artillery against unarmed people and concludes,"... we fear that the present course of the government of Pakistan can lead only to disaster." It urges an immediate truce and prompt restoration of "legitimate and responsive government in East Pakistan."

Among the signers are eight Harvard scholars, including Gustay Papanek, former director of the Development Advisory Service (DAS) and Edward S. Mason, long-time consultant to the government of Pakistan, and recipient of the Sitara Pakistan, the highest award given a foreigner by the Pakistani government.

Dorfman said that the appeal grew out of his work with Pakistan. "I was so frightened by the stories of murder and suppression that I felt I had to speak out," he said last night. He left Pakistan three days before the general strike which closed down airports. "Things were already tense," he said.

"What our government does is all important because West Pakistan can't afford to do anything without outside support," Dorfman said. "The two powers who can give support are the United States and China, and it appears that it's up to the U.S.," he said.

Radio Pakistan, the official station of the Pakistan central government, last night announced a fresh pledge of support from Communist China.

It also claimed that two companies of Indian border security forces infiltrated East Pakistan and were wiped out by West Pakistan government troops. It said the Indians were intercepted "well inside Pakistani territory" on Saturday.

"It appears that the State Department is following a very cautious policy, fulfilling the old commitments of arms, but making no new commitments," Dorfman said. "Unless we give them [East Pakistan] substantial aid, they can't go on for more than two months, three at the most."

He said he has urged the U.S. government to insure that equal amounts of economic aid be given both sides in the conflict. "These are very poor countries on the verge of starvation. If we stopped aid, it would be a very dreadful thing," he said. "It's a dreadful thing anyway."

Other Harvard officers signing the appeal are Walter P. Falcon, deputy of the DAS; Maurice D. Kilbridge, dean of the School of Design; Peter P. Rogers, assistant professor of City Planning; John W. Thomas, a Development Advisor; and Hanna Papanek, a research associate of the Center for International Affairs.