CA PROPAGANADA PERSPECTIVES JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1973

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01194A000200090001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 153
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1973
• Content Type: REPORT

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iiiii0WWW8gMWMPTRTY January-February 1973
BANGLADESH AFTER ONE YEAR
Introduction
Bangladesh, a delta land about the size of Nicaragua, has a
population of 75 million, making it the most densely populated,
and the eighth most populous nation in the world. It is also one
of the poorest. Besides its huge and growing population and its
widespread poverty, it faces other difficulties of staggering
dimensions: inadequate food production, serious war damage,
uncertain trade prospects, and a new, inept bureaucracy that is
burdened with major new responsibilities. It has been estimated
that 3 to 4 billion dollars will be required to raise Bangladesh
to even its pre-war economic level.
Soviet Presence
The Soviet Union has made every effort to capitalize on this
situation and to cultivate Bangladesh, although, in financial
terms, its aid has been limited -- only $120 million of an overall
total of $1 billion (An estimated $70 million for relief and
development, and more recently, approximately $50 million in trade
credits.
The Soviets' major project has been the clearing and dredging
of the port of Chittagong, where the Soviet Navy has had a salvage
fleet working for over eight months. The USSR claims it will take
another year to complete this work., (However, the Dacca correspon-
dent of the Swiss newspaper, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, i'eported in
early November that Prime Minister MUjib was pushing for an early
end to this work and wanted a written agreement from the Soviets
to evacuate the port.)
In addition to training and supplying some of the Bengali
military forces, the USSR has sent large diplomatic and technical
assistance missions to Dacca. The Soviets made obvious efforts to
step up their relations in late 1972: among the groups that
visited Bangladesh then was a cultural delegation headed by Dr.
Vladimir Stanis, identified as Vice-Chancellor of Patrice Lumumba
University and President of the Soviet:-Bangladesh Friendship
Society. The group visited various educational institutions,
including Dacca University. At a press conference during the
visit, Stanis announced that ties between certain Bengali and
Soviet universities would soon be established. A radio-TV
delegation also arrived in Dacca at about the same time. It was
headed by A. Losev, deputy chairman of the Radio-TV State Committee
of the USSR Council of Ministers. He signed a two-year agreement
providing for the exchange of radio and TV programs between the USSR
and Bangladesh.
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More recently the two countries signed a 12.10 million ruble
contract providing for survey, mapping and exploration of oil and
gas in Bangladesh. It was confirmed that the agreement provided for
on-shore exploration only, not off-shore, where up to twenty
different parties have bid for exploration rights. (This may be
just as well for Bangladesh in view of the experience of Sri Lanka
with off-shore oil exploration by the Soviets. According to a report
in a Colombo newspaper of early October, large-scale Soviet blasting
of the seabeds in the northern fishing grounds is destroying the
marine life and threatening the fishing industry.)
Underlying motives of Soviet policy are subject to speculation,
but the USSR is obviously interested in the continued cooperation
of Bangladesh, which would serve its long-term goal of encircling
China. Equally obvious is the Soviets' desire to gain access to
repair and supply facilities for its Indian Ocean Fleet, and their
work in Chittagong harbor could be an opening wedge. However,
Prime Minister Mbjib has repeatedly said that Bangladesh has no
intention of granting such privileges to any foreign power. He
has also made clear that for economic and political reasons Bangla-
desh wishes to remain non-aligned with respect to all the great
powers.
Foreign Aid
Foreign aid to Bangladesh represents the most massive disaster-
relief effort ever mounted, with some thirty nations and more than
fifty private organizations providing assistance to alleviate the
effects of war and the natural disasters that have plagued this
area over past years. Because of its increasing imports, especially
of food, and its static export levels, Bangladesh was a deficit
area with a steadily growing need for foreign aid even before the
1971 crisis.
In the year since then, however, it has received aid amounting
to some $900 million for relief purposes and long-term development.
Of the five major donors, who have given bilaterally and through the
United Nations, the United States has contributed $320 million,
India, $270 million, the USSR, an estimated $70 million, Canada, $65
million, and the UK, $50 million. Other donors, mainly the West
European countries and Japan, have contributed $115 million. Recent
pledges from the International Development Association, and an
additional approximate $50 million trade credit from the USSR, have
raised the total amount of aid to about $1 billion. Between half
and two-thirds of this total amount has been in grants, with the
balance mainly in long-term development loans. The First Annual
Plan of Bangladesh for the current fiscal year calls for spending
about $500 million of this aid. Approximately $115 million had
been spent prior to July 1972.
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In addition, the U.S. has committed over one million tons of
food grains, 75,000 tons ofedible oil, and has resumed long-term
development projects such as flood control, soil embankment, etc.,
which had been suspended during the fighting. All told, the U.S.
has been the largest single source of outside assistance. India
has provided 900,000 tons of food grains, transport equipment,
money for refugee resettlement, a $13 million foreign exchange
loan and has assisted in repair of bridges. Canada has provided
mostly food grains. The USSR has given some food, fishing trawlers
and transport equipment. Besides their major Chittagong project
(see Soviet Presence), they have been involved in a few other
construction projects.
Plus Factors
Although Bangladesh has suffered from its seemingly overwhelming
problems for some time, they have been more or less obscured because
the area was considered as a part of larger Pakistan, and the true
statistics on East Pakistan (1:01s7 Bangladesh) were not readily
apparent. Now, with the breakup of Pakistan, Bangladesh can use
its own resources for itself. The Bengali people have long since
became accustomed to extreme hardship and have demonstrated an
ability to adjust to privation and difficulties that would be
intolerable to others. They are enthusiastic about their
independence, and their Prime Minister, Sheikh MUjibur Rahman
(Mujib), and his party, the Awami League, appear to be in control.
Although Soviet-inspired radical groups are causing political
disturbances, Mujib and his party are expected to win in the
elections scheduled for 7 March.
In the midst of the generally negative and discouraging reports
coming from Bangladesh, there have been signs of initial improvement
in the economic area, principally in the progress of the past year
toward recovery and reconstruction, made possible by massive
foreign assistance and the efforts of the Bengalis themselves.
Nearly all the refugees, estimated in the millions, who had fled
to India in 1971 have returned and been resettled with few
apparent difficulties. Emergency food shipments, which have been
handled mainly by the United Nations relief mission in Dacca, have
averted critical food shortages. Although the UN role in this
operation is scheduled to be reduced at the end of March, there are
reports it may continue its present control over the internal
movement and distribution of imported food.
Jute production, a major source of revenue, has about reached
pre-war levels. The industry as a whole is estimated to be
operating at about 75 percent of capacity. Jute exports are
rising as foreign buyers have resumed purchases interrupted by the
war in Bangladesh. (However, tea production, another major source
of export earnings, remains low as a result of obsolete and neglected
plantations, and this has meant a poorer quality of tea and
higher production costs.)
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The transport network, which was seriously damaged during the
war, has started to function again: ports have been restored to
operating condition, as has road transport, although there are
about one-quarter less trucks now than before the war. Rail trans-
port is operating at only about 40 percent of pre-war capacity because
of damage to bridges, rolling stock and signal equipment. But
river craft have been successfully substituted, especially in moving
goods from the ports to the interior.
Foodgrain Situation
UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim recently appealed to member
countries to donate 1.7 million tons of foodgrains to Bangladesh
during 1973. This would supplement the 800,000 ,tons, that. Dacca ill
try to buy commercially, and would help meet its estimated need for
2.5 million tons of foodgrain imports this year. So far Bangladesh
has arranged to buy about 450,000 tons. About 350,000 tons have
already been donated, including 200,000 tons by the U.S.
The estimated need for 1973 is about equal to the amount
imported in 1972. The Dacca government had hoped to reduce this
figure, but the major winter rice crop was unusually low because
of sporadic monsoon rains. Complicating the supply picture this
year is the worldwide shortage of foodgrains, heavy pressures on
world shipping, and the fact that India, one of the largest donors
of foodgrains to Bangladesh last year, will be unable to contribute
this year because drought has reduced its own crops.
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THE GUARDIAN MANCHI:STER
9 January 1971
Russians' long salvage
Chittagong
CPYR*at WILLIAM MIUMMO NI), Chittagong, January 8
The fences around the Soviet
dotnpound hero are patrolled by
Itnesian senors clad in bright
blue ishirt and aborts, and ear.
tying submachine guns. inside
jetty No. 1 there are 800 sailors
Who operate 20 vessels, ranging
front lerge -flatting workshops
end mine,svveepers to smell
launches.
:Soviet tiavat penetration of
the Institut Meat attea was
mostly stretegic speculation '
until leg April when Bangle-
desh accepted Rtissia'e offer tn
elate? Chittagotig. Bangladeshes
main port, of sunken war
wreckage. Almost Immediately,
the fleet from Vladivoelok
Maimed In rind prepared for a
lengthy stay,
What the Russiann ard really
Up to here him been shrouded
hi' mystery for the last eight
months. Wh9 'IMO the pnce
the work gone so slowly? Why
the need for armed sentries l' Is
this the naval base that every-
body seems to think Rosie
wtinta to solitlifY her southern
think imainst Chinn?
to. anewer some of these
questIona. Rent Admfral Sergel
Menke, chief of the Soviet 9111.
VIM item, permitted An ingruCC-
tjon in Chittegeng The feet
thet the Ilaissiens allowed such
A' visit gunnel to indictee that
what they ere rattly after Is
building goodwill among the
Bengalis rather than seeuringji
military toehold. ?
The Russians have turned A
*Archaise into ,e reereation'
hall for their creme but there
were no outward signs of pre-
Petitions for truly military)
Presence in Chlttagong -- no
liubmatitie pens or anything not
directly Involved with ettivaget.
Admiral Zuenko, aged 54, a
veteran of 36 .years in the
Soviet Navy, maseive
Ukranian. Intelligent, stern. ,Yei
friendly.
" The very first question yeti .
should. ask is why the Soviet
vage team," h
tot a civilian sae
military Is dein! title work and
said, speaking t rough a trans-
lator.
Answering his own questtone
he unrolled a map on his desk
showing about 1,000 square
miles of oceati in the Jele of
Bengal off the' coast of 'Dangle-
desh.
" Minesweeping was the main '
Work and this was strictly a
military job," eie said, " This
had to be dohe to,perrolt ships
to enter the outer anchorage. If
thp minesweephig were. not,
completed; we,eould not Under-
take any salvage work. I'
' Motif, half of the fleet wits
engaged in. mine-sweeping, he
sled, and vessels from the
Indian Navy helped. Admiral
Zuenko disclosed that the
' Indian 'ships had been placed
under his command to chor-
ding(' the effort. ?
The cooperation do significant
because, so far as le known,
independent -India has never
before submitted her vesseie to
? a Russian commander. Bangla-
desh mine clearance was proba-
bly the first collaboration at the
command level since the sign-
lng last yea' of the Indo-Soviet
.defence treaty. The Soviet sal-
vage operation itst scheduled to
finish next December.
' When hostilities ended , last
Deeentber in the Indo-Palthdan
war there were 18 sunken elpe
In Chittagong harbour. After
eight months' work, the Rue-
glans floated 101 of the wrecks
and towed them away. It will
stake 'a full year to Clear the
remaining 41 wrecks.
I Periodically, the Bengali
press has tuggested that the
Russians are tailing. Zuettko
. denies this, "At the end of this 1
&child World War it took the
' Americans five peers to, clear
the wreckage in Pearl Hartfore
and there the visibility under-
water was, perfect and the
Americans were accustomed til,
the climate." ?
Clearing Chittagong involves
immense technical problems, he
said. The water Is more than
100 feet deep, and visibility is
zero, The currents are swift
and dangerous, severely limit-
ing the amount of Unit that the
40 Ruselan divers can Work
)below. ,
Conventional salvage
mt-tfhocis Involve blowing apart
the submerged hulls and
floating them, peep by piece.
However, ehis cannot be dond
because tfhe blasting would kill
the river fish, a staple of the
'Bengali diet, and would ecatter
'the' oil still inside the wrecks,'
-polluting the harbour.
The Russiane are sinking
'pontoons, attaohing them to the
wrecks, nd floatingthe
loons with compressed air. Thie
'brings the wreck to the surface.
" Meny geld this technique
,would not aueceed. but fortus
inetely they were mistaken,"
.the admiral eat&
1 ;On the armed guards around
Abe coMpOund he said: "Every
Military unit has to ingot on
rules_ and regulations. This Is
nbt for protecting out team,
because the Bengali people',
have never teken Any actions'
against the Soviet team.
" But we have to costliest the
gates and who Ms in and out.?
The 13engeli people aro or
curious. If :Ahem Were ho
guards the jetty would always
be crowded. He also sugstetted.
that the gear and vehicles on
the jetty might fall prey to
thieves if left: unguarded. ?
The . fact that the Russians
operate a self-contained foreign
military presence here is a'
source of betvilderment to the
'American Embessy in MILTS,'
which dares not even allow the
.US marine seturity personnel'
tto appear in uniform for fear of,
proenking hostility. The Soviet
Union gets away with these'
' things because the Russians
Acted swiftly. on Bangladesh's
behalf, from her pre-Bangle-1
desh vetoes in the United
Nation4 last year to the prompt
dispatch of the salvage fleet to
Chittagong.
?
When the Russians
arrived, Chettegonis port was
blocked with wreckage and
clearing ? ne cergo. Now It is
C CAP rig 5fl0,000 Loifl n month:
Ruselan preetiee ie high end
the chances of the Wei. Union
wooing Bangladeeh into a col,
leetive security treale, similar
to that stoned with India In
August, 1971, appene very goodi
? ? Admiral Zuerikele fleet ?
i!tould be the precursor of armed
trnote 'pernienetrt Soviet militarY
presence here, but for the time
;
helo/Tithe Ritssians fere engaged
putt in salvage, ? 1,011 '
Mtge ei Times.
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LCG MIMES TIM
26 December 1972
Russia Plays
I,vsf I
bery Kole
in Dapri!Pick-lciii
ewe,
hi' en Mee .1. nit ?11110ND
Timm 11!aff wrOr
CI I Til;r)Nj, B a e.
plarieeh ? The fences
are11111(1 the :envie( com-
pound here Pre petrolled
by Sniect tallone. clad In
bright blue shirts and
shnrte and carrying sub-
machine gime. inside jetty
No. I there are SOO Soviet
sailors who operate a fled
of 26 VP5Sels rengine from
large floating workahorta .
and mintaweepers down
to smell launches,
Snviet naval penetration
of the Indian Ocean area
was mostly strategic slit-
' culatinn unlit last April
when Bengleriesh accept-
ed Moscow's offer to clear
Chit tagon r"e Bangladesh's
main port, of sunken war
wreckage.
Almost immediately the
Soviet fleet from Vladivos-
tok steamed in and pre-
. pared for a lengthy stay.
What the lettsalens are
really itp In here has been
shrouded in mystery for
the last eight months.
Why has the pace of the
work gone so slowly? Why
the nerd for armed sen-
tries? Is this the naval
base that everybody seems
to think the Soviet Union
wants in order to solidify
its southern flank against
China?
To answer some of these
ques?tione, The Times ob-
tained an interview with
Bear Adm. Serect eTeienko,
deer of the soviet salvage
-
team, who - permitted a
firsthand view of the:
operatione in Chittagong.
Inseevilon $cctii3 to indi-
rale that what they are
really after is building
rood will emnng the Ben-
zalis rather than securing
1. Military lee-hold. The
itus:dant have turned a
warehouse into a recrea-
tion hall for their crew-
men, but there were no
outward igli of prepare-
lone for a truly military
prvsenre in Chittaenne?
ln submarine pen; or pill-
',mos or ?melting not di-
eocov theeteee with sal-
vage.
Zuenko, 54, a veteran of
36 years in the Soviet
levy, is a massive Ukrani-
In, intelligent, stern, yet
friendly.
"The very first question
you should ask," said
Zuenkn, speaking through
an interpreter. "is why the
Soviet military is doing
ehte work and not a chili.
Sohnterine Pens
The intAtOprOlvedFor R
sInn; permitted such an
an salvage team."
And promptly answer-
1n e his own question, the
Minkel unrolled a map on
his desk shnwing about. 1,-
000 square miles of ocean
In the Bay of Bengal off
the coast of Bangladesh.
"Mine-sweeping was the
main work, he said. "and
this was strictly a military
sob. "This had to be done
to permit ships to enter
the outer anchorage. If the
I:nine-sweeping ? were not
completed, we could not
undertake a n y salvage
work."
?
Assist Front India
Abnut helf of the fleet
WAS etica cod in mine-
tweepine, he said, and tea-
1s front the Indian navy
Also assisted.
Zuenko revealed that the
Indian vessels had been
placed under his command
En order to coordinate the
effort. .
This cooperation itself is
significant because as far
as is knnwn independent
India has never before
aubmitted its vessels to a
Soviet. or atw other
foreign erennin tt Orr.
the command level eince
the alerting last year of the
bide-Soviet defense trea-
ty.
The sot let salvace! (Ter.
Minn is cheduled to end
hi December of next year.
When hese Hides ended
last December in the ludo.
Pakistan war there were
15 sunken vessels In Chit-
tagong harbor.
After eight months'
rtua5em% had
Jerk
floated 101i of the wrecks
tnd towed them away.
Periodically the Bengali
press has suggested that
the Russians aro stalling.
Zuenkn denies this. '
"At the end of World
War flit took the Ameri-
cans five years to clear the
wrorlt:k.TP in Pearl Harbor,
and there the visibility un-
derwater was perfect and
the Americans were accus-
tomed to the climate," be
said.
Technical Problems
Clearing Chittagong, he
added, is plagued with im-
mense technical problems.
The water is more than
100 feet deep, and visibili-
ty is zero. The currents
are swift and dangerous,
severely limiting the
amount of time that the 40
goalet divers can work be-
low.
Con ventional salvage
methods involve blowing
apart the submerged hulls
and floating them piece by
piece. However, title can-
not he done here beransd
the blazting would kill the
river fish. stanle of the
peneedi diet, awl would
scatter the oil remaining
Inside the wrecks.
Soviet Salvage Crews
What the Soviet salvage
ercws are &leg Is sinking
pontnons, attaching them
hingta tie a it mine- to the wrecks anti floating
eileased990/0i910147CIAIRIYPT/10b111?Inp2q4?
'the first collahnretion at pretted a le In
2
Wreck to the surface.
"Many slid tide tech-
nique woniti not succeed,"
said Zeenkn, "but fortun-
ately they were mistaken."
Asked
about those
armed guards ;minim' the
- compound. ho
"Every military unit line
to insist on rules end reett-
lations. This is not for
protecting our team, 1,2..
cause the Bengali people
have never taken any ac-
tion% against the Soviet
ted
wild we have to control
the gates and who goes in
tind out. The Bengali peo-
ple are very curious. If
there were no guards the
Jetty would always be
crowdtel."
Ile also suggested that
the gear and vehicles sit-
ting on the jetty might fail
prey to thieves if left un-
Americans Puzzled
The fact that tho Soviet
navy operates a self-eon-
't ained foreign military
presence hero Is a source
of bewilderment to the
American Emba any in
Dacca, which dares not
even have the U.S. Marine
enmity personnel appear
In uniform for fear of pro-
voking hostility.
The Soviet Union FCCMS
to he getting away with
these things because it has
Acted swiftly on Lan-
gladeelfs behalf?from its
pro-Bangladesh vetoes in
the United Nation last
yeer to the prompt die-
patch of the salvage fleet
to Chittagnng.
When the Soviet fleet
arrived, Chittagong har-
bor was blocked with
wreckage and clearing
zero men. Now it Is clear-
Ing ifin,cton tnns a month.
Soviet- preetige as a re-
tt It, Is hi g It and the
chances of waning Pan-
glaricah Into a collective
security treaty similar to
that Flamed with India in
August, 1971, appear very
toed.
flat could. In.
Nectirsor of a
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C-PYRGHT _
CPYRGHT
mem permanent Soviet
military prvence here but
for the limo being the Rus-
sians appear to he engaged
purely in salvage.
Zuenko had, his Pteward:
lay out a repast of heavy
ssian bread, butter
from Vladivostok, to
from Georgia and tinned
cherry jam.
The are but a few of
the enmities to help the
bear adapt to tho' Bengal.
MARCH OF THE NATION, -New Delhi
23 September 1972
,so-AD
Voo
j
f 1
i .1 1,41
irt
By Our Special Correspoiadert
CLEAR TERMS
This prompted Mujib to
publicly declare that Bangla
Desh government will not
allovV, the establishment of
foreign bases. In fact this
declaration is part of the
Indo-Bangla Desh' Joint
Statement of March 19. The
Statement states in unambi-
guous terms the "opposition
to the creation of land, air,
and naval bases in this
area."
A feeling ,exists that the
Russians are deliberately de-
laying the salvage operations
in order to establish the
semi-official presence of their
naval fleet in the area and to
gain time to negotiate with
Shickh Mujib.
This suspicion is rein-
forced by the knowledge that
the Soviets arc currently con-
ducting a technical survey of
the seabed, something abso-
lutely unnecessary for their
salvage operations. Despite
protests from Bangla Desh
officials they have fenced off
a large area of the Chitta-
gong jetty and have refused
NEW DELI-fl: The Soviet naval fleet is very much In the In Ilan chiding
res-
Ocean, berthed in Banta Desh waters at the port of Chittapag. Bengali Officials, osite for runniug
rtry to all non So
CAUTIOUS
Further calls follow, but
' they are arranged cautiously
so as not to create alarm.
Finally, visits become quite
frequent and so common-
place -that the host country
finds it difficult to deny,
access, particularly if their
economic dzpendence on
Russia has meanwhile grown
significantly.
The Raissians also involve
themselves in the develop-
ment of .ports, shipbuilding,
and repairing yards. Usually
these facilities, after comple-
tion, are handed over to the
recipient country but Com-
munist advisers as a rule
are stationed at these projects
to look after Soviet interests.
The Russians also provide
technical aid to the host
country's navy and offer
naval workshop and train-
ing facilities. They help in
establishing fishieg industry
by constructing suitable ship-
yards and dry docks. The
ussians also plan for port
improvements designed to
facilitate export of crude
oil and promisc oIlcxplora-
tion in off-shore areas.
t seems to acquiesce with this Soviet Wove port
Ctilirlitgiritiveelsrnninisgid resentment 13 heard in 13uag1a Desh. - .
Mujib was expected to
Most Bangla Desh poli- RELUCTANT MUSIB discuss these developments
.ticians feel that the so,called with Indira Gandhi It is not
"salvage operations" is a known whether he did so
sinster and covert Soviet during his talks with her
move to create a regular last week.
Soviet naval base in Chi
. na-
Bangle Desh Foreign
gong. . . , Minister, Samad is one of
Having signed a Friend- the Bangle Desh leaders who
ship Treaty with India the wants to caution Mujib
Soviets allowed India to sign against Russians. In his
a similar one with Bangle recent tour of some Arab and
Desh. This assured them an South East Asian countries
indirect access to the for- Samad collected considerable
mer Pakistani province, information about the modus
MARCH learns that the operandi of the Russians.
Soviet "operation Salvage",, In this particular field,
which began in April last, they first rend their merchant
is progressing very slowly ships or fishing trdwlers to
because of the Soviets refused make friendly calls at target
to commit adequate equip-. ports. ' Once this practice is
ment. This has evokedcon-
High-ranking officials ex-
press concern over Soviet
attempts to persuade Prime
Minister Mujibur Rahman to
allow them to construct a
naval base in or near the
port of Chittagong. Mujib,
though under considerable
Russian pressure, has thus
far successfully rtfuStd to
give in.
Before he left for London
last month the Russians had
escalated their demand.
They repOrtedly expressed
the desire.. to open a Soviet
Consulate in Chittagong.
The Consulate Would be re-
quired to take care of the
influx of Soviet Railors once
siderable ryteisment in
t
Bangla Desh. roved orn 'r demand
PgaVitiva
? ?
c?
established and the Soviet,
egablish aensivn ICCOMC familiar, a
111/09/02 : C,a97,791.04d594A00012
to pay a formal visit.
Newlidtivns far Soviet
naval base at Chittagong needs
to be viewed against this back-
ground. Facilities at Chitta-
pong arc believed to be tied
in with the reported Soviet
offer of MIG fighter squa-
dron to - Bangla Desh and
provision of experts to train
Bangla Desh military tech-
nicians.
, While in London Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman was caution-
ed about this covert Soviet
naval presence in Chittagong
port by British naval autho-
rities, who expressed, not only
concern but also apprehension
over the expansion of Soviet
!level presence and activity
in the Indian Ocean.
? Algeria, Cypi us, Egypt,
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and
several other Arab and Medi.
terranean countries have been
din 66 It Soviet mano.
ports revoa
that the Soviets are also in
CPYRGHT
pp
CI CPYRGHT
PYRGH mveci For Rplease 1999/09/02 : CIA-P
.DRA60draMAQACRON:JAAPPlelhbor,
India.
There is an understandable fear of Indian
domination here, and the Indians have been
taking the blame lately ? often unfairly ?
for many of Bangladesh's economic troubles.
When the Bangladesh Government made
bad deal in ordering huge quantities o.
substandard emergency-relief clothing from
India several weeks ago,.for instance,, many
were quick to blame the Indians.
Indian Army accused
The Indian Army is accused by Many of
having hauled away Pakistani weapons, mill
equipment, and a good part of the jute crop,
thus contributing to the destitution of this new
nation.
j Bicycle-rickshaw drivers complain that
tires provided by India cost more and wear
out faster than those that used to be sold he
iby the Pakistani's.
The Indians are also often blamed for ti
cross-border smuggling that is drain!!
Bangladesh. Some Bengalis convenient
Ignore that it takes not only Indians but all
Bengalis to make the smuggling a success.
The Russians, in the meantime, hal
suffered a bit from traits that are oft'
associated with Americans in overseas pos
? pushiness, heavy handedness, a lack
grace.
To some Bengalis. the extroverted ? some
terested in acquiring naval
facilities in Burma.
'Sri Lanka Prime Minister
Mrs. Sirimao Bandaranaike
has been increasingly wary of
Soviet intentions in the
Indian Ocean. Recently she
placed 30 Sri Lanka ships on
alert following the detection
of ,a -foreign ship, believed to
be Russian, operating close
to ,Sri Lanka's territorial
waters.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
16 October 1972
Low-profile 11.8. aid
wins Bengalis over
Soviet and Indian
popularity wanes
By Daniel Southeriand
Staff correspondent of '
The Christian Science Monitor
-
Dacca, Dangianesn
Thanks to, a massive aid program com-
bined with a low-key approach, America's
standing in Dacca has risen markedly over
the past few months.
At the same time, the popularity of India
and the Soviet Union ? 'the two .pOwe
responsible for the liberation of Bangladesh
? has dropped considerably.
The main cause for improvement in Amer-
ice's image is clearly the U.S. aid being
poured into this new state. The United States
now is the biggest provider of foreign aid to
Bangladesh.
The United States has been channeling a
good part of its aid through the United
Nations and through voluntary agencies. The
U,S. aid staff in Dacca is a small one.
Bengalis say they've been impressed with
this low profile and with the lack of political
strings attached to the aid.
Lots to live down
Bengalis also say the United States still has
a lot to live down because of its support'for
West Pakistan before and during the India.
Pakistan war of last December. But all along,
educated Bengalis have tended to distinguish
between what they considered a bad policy of
the U.S. Government and the good qualities
of the American people.
This fund of goodwill for the American
people has given the U.S. Government some.
thing to build on.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bangladesh
Prime Minister, dearly wants American aid
A p I/nn CIA-RDIA:Cpen ent on either e
Would say aggressive ? Soviet Ambassador
here, Valentin F. Popov, pomes across as an
"ugly Russian." A number of Bengalis
thought Mr. Popov showed terribly bad form
when he tried at the very last minute to
persuade Sheikh Mujib to accept Russian
instead of British facilities for medical
treatment last July. The sheikh chose to go to
London, where he probably feels more at
ease tnan ne woum ever teei m moscow.
Because of past British influence, many
educated Bengalis are simply more at home
with Englishmen, or Americans, than they
are with the Russians.
When the Russian Ambassador gave the
sheikh's wife a Christmas present last De-J
comber, Bengalis considered this a most
peculiar thing for a supposedly godless
Russian to do.
Suspicion grows
Some of the Bengalis who were at first
Impressed with the ability of Russian experta
to speak their language now have become a
bit suspicious of this talent,
The Russians have also been criticized for,
Slowness in their efforts to clear the mines
and sunken ships from. the harbor at Chitta-
gong, the country's largest port.
Many Bengalis were under the impression
that the Russian Navy would get the job done
quickly. But it has turned out to be an
extremely difficult task.
India and the Soviet Union are still referred
to here as the two great allies of Bangladesh.
Not much is made of American aid in tie,
pg9411,11=0016. krat8t175
- 0,17," "^Ti
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that they are not to criticize India or the
Soviet Union.
Attitudes change
But underlying attitudes in Dacca, particu.
fatly among government officials, are ob.
viously changing. In the capital city at least,
word has filtered down that the Americans
are engaged in a WO-million aid program.
Russian aid amounts to only $6.6 million.
? At the United States- Information Service
(USIS) library, which was blown up during
the war, the atmosphere has relaxed consid.'
erably. Demonstrators who used to march to
the nearby Foreign Ministry to air their
complaints also occasionally hurled roan
through the whidows of the USIS building ?
just for good measure. But an American
official recently noted with pride that
last time we got stoned was four weeks
ago." Things are obviousiy looking utt.-
nin GUARDIAN, Minchester
.16 Doccraber 1972
CP
Hyear of Bangladesh
liangladesh, the eighth Most populous nation criticism of Alttilb's subcontinental policies. Yet
oti earth, is one year old tomorrow. Bangladesh Is the moment may ,be coming for a eloser,look at
at political and cOmmitnal peace, and has experi- sonic tenets Of Mujibism. Tomorrow?al another
enced little starvation lot months past. The ? emotional, million-strong gathering?the Sheikh
economy of Bangladesh, If still a thing of shreds is expected to outline his current thinking on
'Ind tatters, at least begins to contrive slow 'war crime trials, finally to choose between amnesty
recovery. One year ago, in the wake of appalling and a course that will put 40,000 or more Bengalis,
carnage and wholesale destruction, none of this Bihar's, and captured Pakistani' soldiers In the
seemed remotely possible. The year of nationhood dock for collaboration and atrocities. If these trials
has proved, against the odds. a year for congratu-, go ahead at full spate they could remove. for
batons and thanksgiving. East Bengal can clearly many years, the possibility of President Bhutto
manage its own affairs : it iN not the incompetent recngnising Bangladesh : this. in turn, will
land the Punjabi overlords so despised and ;titled. condemn the entire Indian arena to continued
This first hIrthdag may not have fulfilled the hostilities, huge expenditure on arinammits and
most ecstatic herpes of' the Dacca masses, but it the existence, in all three countries, of embattled
remains a signal victory for decent hmnan hostage minorities, prey to random vengrance and
aspiration. official persecution. Thus far, Sheikh Mujib hag
Nor, looking beyond generalities of iclealism been able to argue stoically that it wns for Pakis-
to the grind of daily subsistence. is there cause tan, the principal aggressor. to Med his recogni-
for more Mundane depressions. Visiting cominen- tion terms?and Mr 13hutto, beset by his own
tators have repeatedly prophesied the imminent internal political weaknesses. has let moment
collapse Of law. order and the econerny. hiint; ? after moment slip away.
Sheikh Mitlibur lialiman's grip on his people has But now, with 'Vicious student riots against
proved lottgli and charismatic. And the neasaht liangladesh being ferniented In SIMI and the
economy (only rivalled in global impoverishment Punjab, Bhultn's freedom or action does seem
by Burundi and tipper Volta) has reacted to genulnely eircumstribed. If the subcontinent
adversity with steely local resilience?small ? wishes peace,Jhe next practical step. nutst come
village units using rich soil to offset the buffet from Mujib. Bhutto knows as much and hopes for
ings or war, ? Bangladesh now does not face a it. India, too, sees only harm coming from an
awirt slide int() mass famine or anarchy. There epic of legalistic bloodletting. Vriends know
Is a chance to build. ? Sheikh Mujlb is truly horrified by what his peopk.
lint, washing over these. rocks or certainly and endured, but there are the living to think about
questions. World opinion, for example, has under- how?the 3(10,000 Bengalis stuck in Pakistan. the
pinned Bangladesh to fine effect. Though the 90,000 PakIstan troops incarcerated In India, the
International aid business shows inevitable kinks, restless 700,000 Btharls, the gaoled 40.000. This is
It has mirsed the country to ? health, and this a formidable mountain of misery. Sheikh Mitjib
physical assistance has been paralleled by diplo- timid begin moving it tomorrow, 1111 net In twin
muirsympathy. Only Chinn and P roW tluirdrics with , the early aspirations of 11` ;growing
of the Moslem Kock have indulged in much open Bangladesh. .
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BALTIMORE SUN CPYRGHT
16 December 1972
Pangradekkimarks firsibirthday today;
Mujib revie.ws the yeaes. atcomplishments
fly rrtAti SAIMARWAre.
Sun Slat f Correspondent
. Dacca, Bangladesh?A boom;
ing 31-gun salute will mark the
end of the first yeat of I3angla-
desh'S existence today. And
then the new nation will begin
Its second year, which could be
more challenging, with the,eu-
phoria of liberation yielding to.
despondency. ' ' ?
Sheik Mujllidr ' Rahman;
founder, leader and prime
minister of Bangladesh, In. an
-interview summed up the per-
formance of his regime that
took over power after a bloody,
upheaval and Said: "Nobody
has died of starvation In my
country despite many predic-
tions that there would be wide-
, .
spread famine."
Constitution Is signed
"I have given my country a
.democratic constitution, in
such short record time that
nowhere else has this ever
happened."
The constitution was finally
signed yesterday by all the
members of the Constituent
As.sembly, and that assembly
now stands dissolved.
"I am giving democracy to
my people and they will be
able to elect a new govern-
ment next March. I could have
continued in office for another
10 years without any challenge
from my people, but I want
elections so that they can exer-
cise their democratic rights,"
The national administrative
apparatus Is now effective
throughout the country, despite
communication difficulties In a
terrain crisscrossed by rivers,
where many of the war-dam-
aged bridges still are unre-
paired.
Sheik Muilb. as he Is calledl
.by his people, added that there
has not been any "genocide"
of the non-Bengali-speaking III.
hark, as many feared there
would be. Ile made it clear,
however, that the 260,000 out of
half a million Biharis who
Pakistan. wilt nave to go tnere
and the remainder will stay in
Bangiaaesn as -my people on
my responsibility."
Despite Mr. Mujib's remark-
able performance, it should be
realized that the armed chal-
been very numerous. They ,
could have been much worse,
because of widespread distri-
bution of 'automatic weapons
last year for the war against
Pakistan when the Indian'
Army. with the help of the
Bengali guerrillas, erased East
Pakistan from the map and
created the new Bengali nation
of Bangladesh. ??
Prime Minister Mujib would
like to believe that the growing
number of political parties, of
all ideological colorations, is
due mainly to politicians' fears
that he is about to initiate a
government purge of all oppor-
tunists and also those who are
corrupt.
According to observers, the
national ruling Awami League
will be returned to power in
March with a massive vote,
provided Mr. Mujib is able to
campaign and crisscross the
country.
The Bangladesh government
Is getting British helicopters,
which Mr. Mujib could use in
campaigning without much phy-
sical strain. ?
The national political issues
for the first time in the 25
years since independence from
Great Britain will be on do-
mestic issues and net aimed at
the outside power or forces in
West Pakistan, against which
Bengalis have fought all along.
However) the new Bengali
nation still" lacks the psycho-
logical fulfillment of nationhood,
despite recognition by over 95
nations.
What.-thd Bengalis want is
recognition by their erstwhile
rulers in West Pakistan, who
now make up all of Pakistan.
Their insistence on recognition
before any dialogue with Paki-
have chosen, 14) governmeat- stan's prcsiden Zufikar All
conducted su pttOliVit nFO duet 1;91991039
that Mr. Bhutto may try :to
talk them nut of their nide-
pendence. .
In foreign affairs the country
Is seeking ufriendship with all
with malice to none." The
United States, India, Britain
and Russia are all considered
necessary for help and Mi.
The nation survived the disas-
ters of the last year only with
a massive $1 billion In eco-
nomic and food aid. The na-
tion's leaders are aware that
that kind of money is not going
to be available in future.
Aid groups to leave
As it is, most of the 50-odd
volunteer organizations and
agencies who are running aid
programs here now are talking
about moving to Vietnam,
where they feel the need for
help will be greater than in
Bangladesh.
The traumatic experience
of last year has made the
Bengalis doubly wary of any
influence which may Suggest,
however remotely, that their
sbvereignty is being compro-
mised.
Mr. Mujib said, "I want
rriendship with all but I will
not tolerate any interference in
my country's internal affairs,"
In answer to 'a question as to
how he viewed Bangladesh's
relations in the future. ?
Mr. Mujib has reason to be
wary of foreign powers inter-
fering in his domestic affairs.
Last week the pro-Moscow'
Communist party, which had,
been underground for the testi
25 year, put tip a very expen-
sive- show in the world's poor.;
est 'country and attracted for-4
eign attention..
Awaml League leaders made
no Secret of who they believe
was financing such on elabo-
rate and expensive show and
for what political ends. ? .
Mujib is determined not
have any truck with any politi-
?eill party, notwithstanding the
fact that some of these parties
joined his followers last y,ear
A GlAaRDP74-0111Sia 00200090001-5
consultative committee under
Indian influence to guide thq,
war of liberation.
? There is an undertone of
.anti-Indian feeling voiced in
private and public,. This, many.
'Indian officials say, is because,.
of a Bengali desire?which thel
Indians say they share?for a,'
separate identity.
Bangladesh Is still adjusting
to the new realties and isi
groping for ways to improve I
the lot of its poor, who are the
tvnrld'a rinroct
There Is ri0 mistaking that'
Bangladesh is Sheik Mujib's
country. His portrait Is every-
where and he is regarded as
the supreme leader who Is
going to solve all the prob-
lems. "*
Mr. Mujib, at 55, looks
healthy after his recent Illness
, and operation, tle enjoys hit
pplitical power and the
strength he has acquired after
, A long fight.
7711'rn'rq',`U.7{,Irrlr
-,,:rinfrf:TArlinrriiirrir,itrtv ?11t9TUfliaTIMI.Ifj(1,VA ? wir trIpyypi
Approved For Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01194A000200090001-5
BALTIMORE SUN
14 December 1972
Bangladesh revisited: A young giant'
tries to makoPitRon 16 cents a da
C pyRnslwrin Immo/it,
Stitt Stall CrirreAnonditnt
? Dacca, Bangladesh?This
13enga1l nation of 75 million
people, having emerged from
a bloody conflict a year ago
as the world's eighth largest
country, rethains one of its
poorest.
Bangladesh hone of the
lowest per capita Incomes
($69 a year or abOut 16 cents
a day) of any nation on earth.
Twenty per cent of the pop-
ulation has an average annual
Income of less than $2, And
Ihe overpopulation is such
that there are 1,361 people
for every square mile. ?
The country's prime minis-
ter, Sheikh Mujihni? Ralunan,
Is making an effort to raise
living standards, but the task
seems formidable.
The nation's planners are:
giving top priority to agricid-'
fore tillice 95 per rent or the ?
people depend on it. (Manui.
factoring accounts for only 6
pr cent of the gross national
product and employs less
than 1 per cent of the labor
force.)
Thus, the short-term objec-
tive?with the help of foreign
aid?is to protect agriculture
frnm thn unrwinc nf wnallwr
and produce enough to feed
the people,
The planners realized. de-
spite claims to ihe contrary,
that Bangladesh does not
have the raw materialS and
technical skills for large-
scale industrialization.
And the nearly half billion
dollars in foreign aid has
been pumped into agricul-
low", ntul fiehrwine ftpu.
eminent also has given
priority In restarting the
Jule, cotton textilc and sugar
mills that were closed down
Inst year when the West,
Pakistanis abandoned them,
In Ihe Indo-Pakistani war.
The Bangladesh ' govern-
ment has a modest plan for
the current fiscal year (July'
1972 to June. 197:11. costing
$950 million. Rut Again, the
bulk of the fluids are to he
spent on agriculture, with in-
dustry getting a mere 5.5 per
cent.
The country's major assets-
are 8 million cubic fret of
natural gas, and the climate
and soil In prnrliire ernp5,
rmq-, tart " ?olden fiber"
Y I
, NEW YORK TIKES
714 January 1973
RICE CROPS DROPS
RAVAGED ASIA
War and Weather Produce
Sh daps in Many Areas ,
jute. The latter gets the;
.country the most foreign ex-
Thange dollars, apart from
'leather and tea, Jute Is used.
In making burlap bags and
twine.
However, Bangladesh's
jute crop is threatened by
rising food prices, -since
farmers are finding it more
'profitable to divert their
acreage to food grains, such
as rice.
Natural gas queation
The government has yet to
decide what to do about the
natural gas. It would take
years either to pump the gas
to Calcutta or set up a pe-
trochemical complex at the
;port of Chittagong.
The average Bengali
,seems to have few com-
plaints, Ile feels that the
country k so far down that
the only place to go is up.
Meantime. .there is an
acute shortage of consumer
goods. which has to be im-
ported from abroad, prefera-
bly from England or Japan.
Bengalis do not like Indian
consumer goods which they
believe to be "costly and
:also shoddy."
The government is pledged
In coninhern nnlinrt'
sin?and has yet to make up
its mind if it wants foreign
capital for development. The
'few foreign-owned enter-
prises are not ?nationalized
and their owners are allowed
to run them.
However, the government
has decided to bar private
investments from India as it
it would revive past me-
mories of Rajasthan' Hin-
dus and Bengali Hindu, land
owners who exploited the
Muslims here. That was part
of the reason the Muslim
Bengalis opted for Muslim
Pakistan against predomi-
nantly Hindu India 25 years
ago.
Sheikh Mujib himself now
Is !poking into the price rise
and shortages. lfe has
banned strikes and threat-
ened hoarders with serious
punishment. The sheikh
hopes to import enough con-
sumer gnods to bring down
prices before the March elec-
tions. Needless to say, the
economy has become one of
the major campaign issues.
CPYRGHT
year anaitne prosputl yr L.,-
porting rice because of an es-
timated 20 per cent drop in
production.
Stockpiles were wiped out
last year when Thailand ex-
ported more than two million
tons to countries such as the
Philippines, Indonesia and
Bangladesh that experienced
Unforeseen shortages.
Adverse weather played
havoc with rice crops in the
SINGAPORE, Jan. 13 (Ru-
ler).-The green revolution. in
Asia SCOMS about to come to
lin abrupt halt this year .with
rice crops ravaged by war,
drought and floods,
Harvests are falling far
short of forecasts in- several
countries, and of Asia's three
i)1..?
principal rice ex orting coun-
tries ojitymi, volltold
have nitgel-stir
Thailand, the foremost ex-
portet, faces a shortage this
Hut tuu Om, with pruiduudon
forecasts for 1972-73 down
Only 4.5 per cent. The shortage
has been covered by imports
from China, the United States,
Italy, Japan and Thailand.
Indonesia was caught un-
aware )3y a serious shortage
the last three months, Which
saw, the price of rice nearly
triple on the domestic market.
Months of harsh drought
caused a drastic shortfall In
rttlirrinne, whorn fhtt given flirt deo errip inrinnetelok etri,.
revolution was born in the big to meet her own needs by
early 1960's with the devel- mid-1974, had to import 1,-
opment of a high-yield "mira- b00,000 tons. Indonesia is still
etc rice" that was expected to trying to buy, additional sup-
make most countries self-suffi- plies.
#1" 9 ntr,ref Mina. est Mitt Arnnrienn nirpnot, .1 Nor
With a forecast by an
century washed away much of man Efferson, that world de-
the crop in the northern Phil- mand is likely to exceed out-
ippines, while in the south put In five to 16 years, at
Relestiele891/019,02 : CIALeR OuOttlfttkee020
Cirtrup to OCItTle9JC neeas.
Indonesia Needed Imports Catching
Neverthele the r- n
Malaysia's 1972 harvest was
ss ove I
Atitinnk fnr tho philinninng wits 7 expected to produce a surplus
for the firnt time Wi"" /oh
tons?mainly due to double-
planting and increased irriga-
tion. ;
An acute rice shortage led
to riots and looting in thr
Cambodian capital of Phnorr
Penh in September, and a ma.
jor food crisis looms this yeai
as the war shrinks the avers
?age yield of paddyfieids.
Peasants Desert Land
Statistics published rbeentlk
by the Cerehrmien ImerinNt
Ministry showed the area un
der cultivation had fallen b3
nearly hal?' over the test E
months. Thousands of peasant
have deserted their land an
fled' es refugees to Phnon
Penh.
South Vietnam Importer
200,000 tons of rice last yea
to fill' the Op left .by produc
0041010(144sulting from thy
War.
Japan, by contrast, is this
year in the position of 'comic!
CPYRGHT
!ring a
.o reduce her stockpile, which
)ver the last few years has
:limbed to 2,700,000 tons.
South Korea was hoping to
ialve imports to 400,000 tons
his year, but officials ,now
;oncede that the country will
iee'd at least 5Q0,000 tons be-
:ause of the poor 1972 harveit.
Production figures are not
tvallable for North Vietnam,
China and North Korea, but
irtrvests In North Vietnam are
hought to have been seriously
affected by the war. ,
THE ASIAN, Hong Kong
13 December 1972
Release 1999/09/02 : CIA-RDP79-01194A000200090001-5
,
tq EPS helD
U.s
crti 11
it (11) agg II 01 d
- therid.1741
SPECIAL TO THE ASIAN ?
NASHINGTON ? North
kmerica is now the world's
sreadbasket, with the failure pf
;rain harvests in the Soviet Union.
Mith the strength the United States
las militarily-and in other aspects
sf its economy, this situation has
;erious political implications. The
Jnited States could, if it were so
nelined to, use its potential
:apacity to grip the world by its
hroat and choke its alimentary
:anal to influence political
leeisions of ? the international
:ommunity.
In the thirties the world's wheat
leficicney areas were supplied by
hree regions: Latin America,
siorth America and Eastern
gurope, including the Soviet
'Jnion.
Today with its population boom
.Atin America is barely self-
cuflicient, The Soviet Union is now
naking large ?purchases of grain
!nd many of the other countries of
Lastern Europe are importing vast
uantities of grain. Australia and
Icnieve any abrupt Ihcreases In ha
Led p,e act.en t.,
demands on it. -
US grain exports have been
increased 12 times in less-than 40
years, in spite of greater home
consumption. The high protein diet
of North Americans requires
about one ton of grain a year per
person to feed cattle and poultry as
well as humans. European and
Japanese needs have also risen.
As far back as 1967. a US
agricultural economist warned that
the foreseeable North American
grain surplus was all that stood
between the world's increasing
population and starvation.
Economists are nervously.
wondering what would happen if
future .crop failures in the Soviet
Union coincided with Indian
famines. Already India has had
bad harvests_ from monsoon
failures which .are obliging it to go
to the US for grain, despite its
optimism last year it had reached
self-sufficiency. In .the late sixties
when : crop failures hit India
ew Lemma are only seconaary
suppliers.
Apart from its political
implications the world's
dependence on US supplies has
serious dangers' to the food
million tons.
Organisation efficiency.
agriculture science and knowhow
have enabled the US with
scarcely six per cent of its people
working on the farms to feed all of
A formcr US Secretary of its own peoples and many other
Agriculture, Orville Freeman. has
parts of the world. This year the
warned that it h US .r.,amt s to harvagas2
difficult for the AtiVirang FQrni"ilease
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
Soviet Union only 167 million
.ons.
The Asian's correspondent_li
Bangkok reports:
Rice experts from member-
--ountries of the International Rice
Commission were in agreement
.hat greater attention must be
)laced towards the development or
mprovcd rice varieties which
equire only moderate
V.; /Ur
daptability as 60 per cent of the
rea under rice in Asia is raided.
In the past. emphasis has been
n the development of high
ielding varieties for irrigated
onditions. Little attention had
Deen devoted to raise rice yields in
nirrigatcd areas that depend for
heir water supply from rain.
The experts meeting here
recently Felt that as considerable
success had now been achieved in
raising rice productivity in
irrigated areas, more emphasis
should now be directed towards
breeding varieties suitable for less
favourable environment such as
rainfed areas and marginal land.
Attention should also be given
to suitable cultivation techniques
and cropping patterns in these
areas.
A FAO official drew the
attention of the delegates to the
fact that population in rice-
consuming countries was steadily
increasing at an annual rate or
mree per cm.
thp food problem of the developing
egruntries in relation to rice
production must come mainly
from increased productivity of
There was also increasing
demand for rice by the existing
population Which was linked to
urbanisatioo and increased
incomes.
Apart from Asia, the demand
for rice was also on the increase In
land already under cultivation.
The Deputy Regional
Representative or FAO for Asia
and the Far East. Mr Soestilo I-I.
Pralco.so. warned against any
optimism that the rice problems
would be solved in the near future.
He said that through the
introduction of high yielding
varieties coupled with both
imorovement in agricultural inputs
and favourable weather conditions
particularly in tropical Asia, rice
production was increasing
remarkably in many countries
during the last quarter of the
seventies.
He said that in 1970 the world
paddy productiqn had reached a
record 300 million metric tons and
this had led many people to
express optimism that the rice
problems would be solved in the
near future. He said that, except
for limited areas. rice production
was still the subject of considerable
fluctuations. consequently
hanirerini both the desired stead?,
Increase 131 OUULLIVII FITIU n SUR/ c
supply of rice to an ever increasing
population.
Mr Prakoso said that the
shortage or rice has already been
reported in some countries in Asia
and.this should serve as a warning
that continuous efforts are
Africa and South America. needed for further improw
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1,E1,1"/ ' 1-rtr 91,
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January-February 1973
LENGTHENING SHADOWS AND PYOTR YAKIR
Soviet counter proposals on the subject of a freer exchange
of ideas between East and West have been restrained. Typical of
this was their recent reaction to the concept of satellite
television programming. It was this reaction, in fact, that
resulted in the nearly unanimous United Nations vote prohibiting
satellite television programming without the permission of the
recipient government.
Ironically Lenin was the first proponent of influencing the
peoples of the world via radio. Moscow became and remains one of
the most powerful and busy of all the world's broadcasting centers
with programs in all of the world's main languages -- and all
directed at presenting the Soviet political point of view. Moscow
is also one of the world's most paranoid listeners to foreign
radio broadcasting and apparently fears television might prove
even more effective in reaching a wider audience as yet apathetic
but potentially dangerous.
Also indicative of the leadership's nervousness over the
exchange of information or ideas is a recently adopted decree
forbidding the use of the telephone for purposes contrary to
the interests of the State and public order. This measure, too,
is an additional weapon for use in the current campaign against
the steadily weakening dissidence movement.
Evidence from telephone taps has already been used in the
trials of dissidents. A switchboard operator testified at the
trial last year of Vladimir Markman in Sverdlovsk that he had
made anti-Soviet remarks in telephone calls to Israel. One of
the charges against Vladimir Bukovsky was the possession of
telephone numbers of Western correspondents. At this writing,
it is anticipated that Pyotr Yakir may momentarily be subjected
to public trial and the telephone can be expected to play no
small role in the charges made against him.
Last June Pyotr Yakir, one of the Soviet dissenters' more
outspoken members, was arrested. Five months later it was
being bruited about Moscow that Yakir had been broken by the
security police (KGB) and that he might be ready to go into
court to denounce the "democratic movement" and to name his
fellow dissenters and their Western contacts. Those credited
with spreading this story assure their contacts that Yakir has
not buckled under physical torture.
An article in the 14 December Soviet Analyst makes the
telling point that though torture was employed on a tremendous
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scale during the Stalinist purges in the Soviet Union and East
Europe, it was not the physically tortured who were brought to
confession in the great trials- Some were tortured at one stage
or another during interrogation but usually before it had been
decided to display them publicly. Others, such as NL Orakhalashvili,
were so tortured they had to be done away with in secret.
Star confessors such as Nikolai Bukharin were not physically
tortured but were methodically weakened by varying degrees of
brutality such as inadequate diet and inadequate sleep, accompanied
by very long, though not continuous, interrogations. Even Ijoebl
who appeared at the Slansky trial in Prague in 1952 said that such
interrogation techniques had in effect deprived him of his ego.
Even when rested and fed it no longer occurred to him to withdraw
his confession. "I was quite a normal person," he said, "only I
was no longer a person."
The time taken to process prisoners in the public purge trials
in Moscow and East Europe was usually from three months upwards.
Pyotr Yakir, a sick man to begin with, has now been in the hands
of the KGB since 21 June -- ample time for the interrogators to
accomplish their task. In addition, as Amnesty International
reminds us today's interrogator has the technical capability to
produce "progressively more sophisticated methods of torture,
including mind-shattering, audio-visual techniques that make the
medieval thumbscrew and rack look like Children's toys."
Opinions differ as to whether or not Pyotr Yakir has been
broken under interrogation. As reported in the Baltimore Sun of
23 December, two highly trustworthy Moscow dissident sources have
described the rumors of Yakir's collaboration with the authorities
as misinformation skillfully planted by the KGB in order to damage
or break the morale of other Soviet dissidents. Should it turn out
that Yakir has denounced the activities of his fellow dissidents,
one need only recall that long before his arrest he confided to
London correspondent David Bonavia that if he were beaten he would
"tell all." "I know that from my previous experience in camps.
But you will know that it is not the real me who is speaking
then. .
It is believed that Yakir will be brought to trial in the
very near future and it may well be that the KGB will try to use
his testimony to implicate others and denounce the dissidents as
a whole. Undoubtedly the KGB will use the Yakir case to damn
the chief "samizdat" publication of the dissident movement, The
Chronicle of Current Events. The world should denounce this
latest example C5E-Soviet methods of intimidation and forced
confession reminiscent of the days of Stalin.
Which in turn leads one to reflect on Western reaction to
what is happening within the Soviet Union. We know that although
the Soviet leaders are lured by the potential payoffs of detente,
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orthodoxy will die hard for most of them. It is the instinctive
tendency of a suspicious, conservative leadership to tighten
internal controls at a time of increased foreign exposure. It is
that leadership which reacts violently to foreign criticism of its
treatment of dissidents and minorities as interference in its
internal affairs. Nevertheless, that same leadership has in the
past and can be expected in the future to make small compromises
to appease its critics.
It is this potential of achieving even the smallest of
compromises-thatimakes.400ernireactionsselpm$S00aAqaousi.}FForith
the exception of Western media, reaction to Soviet dissidents
appealing for help has been generally negative. It was reported
during the Brussels International Symposium on Human Rights held
last December that over 100 documents appealing to the West for
help had been sent out during the past year. They have met with
total indifference and silence on the part of most international
psychiatric organizations, the United Nations Human Rights Commission,
the United Nations secretariat. In fact,. in 1969 the then
Secretary General U Thant ordered the Moscow office of the United
Nations to refuse to accept appeals locally. This was after Mt.
U Thant had received five appeals through this channel. He
suggested that those who wished to appeal should use the mails to
address themselves to the UN Headquarters in New York.
The World Council of Churches, World Health Organization,
International Red Cross, and international Baptist groups, all
of whom have had appeals addressed to them have not even acknowledged
receiving them. All that the dissidents of the Soviet UAJAMOant is
serious, responsible intervention at the intergovernmental level
and assistance from international organizations to ensure fair,
public trials and less dehumanizing labor camp conditions.
So spoke Yuri Shtein, former Soviet film director and member
of the unofficial Soviet Group of Initiative for Defense of the
Rights of Man in the USSR and now in exile in the West, before the
Brussels Symposium on Human Rights: "I do not nourish any illusions
as to the power of world public opinion and its ability to compel
a government to carry out drastic changes in its domestic policies.
But to restrain, to put a brake on manifestations of anti-democratic
trends, to eliminate the menace of physical repression hanging over
innocent victims, those are among our possibilities."
3
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CPYRGHT
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VICES OM 7'}WEi8112M.WEROUND
CDS TELEVISION NETWORK.
TUesday, July 28, 1976
10:00 11t00 PM, EDT
4' With CBS NEWS!Cdrrespondents Harry Reaooner and William Cole,
PRODUCED BY CBS NEWS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: , Perry Wolff '
REASONER: Good evening. You are about to see some extraordinary film. They
are interviews with three Ruseiane, filmed in Russia, about their dissatiefaction
and dissent, and there is also a moving voice message, recorded in a prison camp:1?
;
and smuggled out. 60 .0
COLE:I Well, the first man you'll eee is Pyotr Yakir. He's 48 years old and,1?10,1
. , . .
dedidated.Communist. He wants change from within. He has spent 13 years in con-.2'e
cent ration campa, and he is what you might call the non-titular head of the demo..;
cratic Movement. He was put into a camp the first time when he was 14, because. '
he was Mn rather's son. His father wag General Jan Yakir, a very celebrated
general of the Soviet Army. Stalin decided that Yakir should be 'shot. He vas-,;;W*
taken out of bed one night and shot,.
/
REASCNER: Yakir begins by speaking of a famous recent trial.
1; i '???.: 1
? A
COLE: Yes, Pyotr believes that a change came in Russian .opinion in 1966,,wi h
theiillegal trials of two well-known Russian writers, Sinyavsky and Daniel..;
1 1, .1,; fl.
REASONER: He also, of course, speaks in Russian, but as we listen to him, and
In these other interviews, the translation will be by David Floyd, of. the London
2212E/meth, an expert on Soviet affairs. Let's listen to Mk. Takla'.
'
t'
YAKIR: (Speako in Russian)
FLOYD: (INTERPRETING): The most important turning point in the way people are
thinking wan when Daniel and.Sinyavsky were arrested. Many- educated people thought
Daniel and Sinyavsky had done wrong by sending their writings abroad, and follow-
ing their trial and after Samizdat - Samizdnt refere to the system by which people
nimply reproduce and pass from hand to hand various writings - published the first
speeches of Daniel and Sinyavsky, there came about a striking change, because both.
Sinyavsky and Daniel spoke about what they thought. They had written down what
they believed, and didn't consider themselves guilty. And many people began to
think: really, why should pdeple be tried for their Convictions? Why, simply fori
what be thinks, does k,man have to be arrested?' It was very similar to Stalin ?
times, when people were sent to prison not even for what they thought, but for '
what they were thought to believe, and had not said to anybody, but it bad
how been proved that .they were dissenters. So from that time on there were '
tests.
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And then there was the trial of Galanskov and Ginzburg, and that was tne_time,of
the greatest enthusiasm, because firstly a great many people protested against the
.
fact that the trial was held illegally and behind closed doors. During the tklal
the situation changed a great deal. 'Whereas during the trial of Sinyavsky and .
Daniel it had been impoasible to approach foreign correspondents - the vigilantes ''.1;
would take people straight off to the police - at the Moscow City Court we all
discussed the affair with the correspondents. True, they wouldn't let us in any- '
Where, but a certain contact was established, and everything we learned ye passed 4
on immediately to the correspondents. The trial ended, and against 'it there Were h
, a great many protests. More than 2,000 people put their names to various letters
of protest against conviction of people for their beliefs. Sometime - about the
same time, during the trial, Lariesa Daniel and Pavel Litvinov handed correspond- !
'ente a protest against the trial and, appealing to world public opinion. That! wag 1
:the first, major step, which was a breach with all previous traditions. Never be-
ore in Russia had there been a case of people appealing to the .West with a pro-,, '
fteat against unlawfulness in our country..
;This is a great stride forward compared with Stalinism. Under Stalin there was
always an iron curtain, and no. one knew what was going on here. Millions of
people were destroyed and nobody knew about it. Now we're trying to publicize
every arrest, every dismissal. This we consider our main function - that is, in-
!forming people about what is going on and of those illegal acts. We consider
this the main task of the day.
,
1 ,
illere is what I think. We are,all being arrested - those who took part in the
democratic movement - but that's not the point. We are apparently being arrested
because it doesn't suit the authorities to have people about who criticize them, ..
But there's no going back. If we're not here there'll be others there are al..
ready many of us, many young people, and no independent thinking people in the ,
t
Soviet Union will go back to what used to be. They'll beat us and they'll ki 1
us. All the same people will go on thinking differently.,
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CPYRGHT
THE NATION, Bangkok
25 December 1972
'IF THEY BEAT Mt, I WILL SAY ANYTHING.
By Alice Somerfield
REPORTS
FROM MOSCOW suggest that a spec-
tacular show trial may be in preparation, and
that the principal exhibit and star witness will be
Pyotr Yakir, one of the most prominent of all the
Soviet Unions small band of dissident intellectuals.
What is one to make of this rumour, and what does
it Indicate about the Soviet authorities' intentions?
Pyotr Yakir is 49 years
Old, a historian who
worked as a librarian in
the Academy of Sciences
Library until his arrest in
June this year, Since then
his case has been investi-
gated (Soviet law pre-
scribes a maximum of
nine months pre-trial in-
vestigation). At his arrest
it was reported that he
would be charged under
article 70 of the Soviet
Criminal Code, which
covers anti-Soviet agita-
tion and propaganda, and
can carry a sentence of
up to seven years in pri-
on and five years exile.
Vladimir t3ukovs ky,
whose case was reported
earlier this year, received
the maximum sentence
under the same article.
? Appeals which contrasted
the treatment of Yakir
with that accorded to
Angela Davis in the
United States askedi for
him to be released on hail,
but were rejected. Now
rumours are rife that
techniques of 30 years
ago in his book, My
Childhood in Prison, is
confirmed by other ac-
counts. Yakir is the son
of General Iona Yakir
who was purged and shot
Under Stalin in 1937.
Pyotr Yakir, then 14
years old, and the rest of
his family, were impri-
soned after the fashion ?
of the times for the crime
of being related to an
"enemy of the people."
He spent 17 years in pri-
sons and camps of various
types under Stalin, and
was finally released only,
after Stalin's death, Re-
habilitation of both father
and son followed, but the
spectre of Stalinism has
haunted Yakir ever since,
and was the driving force
behind his participation
in numerous protests and
appeals in recent years.
These have included
appeals to the United
Nations commission on
Human. Rights, concern-
Yakir has been persuaded Ing the infringements of
by his interrogators to civil rights in the USSR,
..confess to his guilt and appeals to international
help them in their in- Soviet Communist Party
vestigations of the whole conferences, as well as
underground movement. letters . to Soviet leaders
and offocial bodies of all
With this in formation
kinds concerning indivi-
they apparently propose
to mount a spectacular dual cases of injustice.
trial of dissidents., RIGHT TO FREE
Interrogation methods ; SPEECH
in the USSR are reasona In 1969 Yakir and a
ably well-documented and number of like-thinking
although they can involve p-eople, including Vladi-
; physical violence, do not mir Bukovsky, the histo-
necessar do so. Yakir s rian Andrei Arnalrik and under interrogation and
ily ' ?
own vivid nicture_ilf the
Appr oved For -Keleafeillt991/ftliata. eti\-143121bWrOgocga
harievskaya, founded the
Action Group for the
Defence of Civil Rights.
It is not illegal under the
Soviet constitution to
found groups of this na-
ture, but from the first it
was frowned ori by the
authorities. Yakir insist-
ed that he was not inter-
ested in forming under-
ground organisations, as
he believed in openly
claiming the right to free
speech, which, inciden-
tally, is also guaranteed
under the Soviet consti-
tution.
Recently the trials of
Bukovsky and of other
dissidents less well known
in the West have indi-
cated that the Soviet au-
thorities were making
great efforts to silence
the small group of dissi-
dents, In 1970 Yakir
could tell an American
journalist, William Cole,
that it did not matter if
he and the others were
arrested, as there were
many more to carry on
where they left off. Since
then, however, the ranks
of the dissidents have
been sadly thinned. In an
interview with a Western
journalist this month the
distinguished Soviet, phy-
sicist, Academician An-
drei Sakharov- himself a
prominent member of th
dissident movement-said
that it had never been in
worse straits. The impact
of the movement is, ,in
any case, largely moral-
as dissidents exercise no
direct political power.
It must have come as a
particular blow, there-
fore, to liberal-minded
;Soviet eitizens to learn
that Yakir had cracked
health and a heavy
drinker before his arrest,
the pressures may just
have been too great. It
was one of the more
grotesque aspects of the
Stalin period that ap-
parently sane and intelli-
gent people were brought ,*
to confess the most ex-
traordinary crimes in
court. It seems that Yakir
is likely to do something
similar. He has reportedly
been convinced by his
interrogators that, as a!
Marxist, he should not i
have tolerated the
Marxist aspects aspects of the
civil rights movement in
the USSR. He has con-
fessed his guilt and has
supplied a great deal of
information about the
movement.
Before leaping to any
conclusions about this 4
news, however, it is worth
recalling what the British ,
journalist David Bonavia
Wrote from Moscow at ,
the time of Yakir's at-
rest last June, reporting
a conversation they had
had in the Soviet capital:
"These are Mr Yalcir's
words as accurately as I
can remember them. `If
they beat me, I will say
I anything-I know that
from my former exper-
ience in the caning, But
you will know it will not
e the real me speaking.
Another thing, I shall
never in any circum-,
stances commit suicide.
So you will know that
if they say I have done
away with myself, some-'
' one else will have done
me in. Remember one
thing: in this country it
is progress when they put
people in labour camps
and psychiatric hospitals
0 ?LI atrisprif. It is progress
NI* 1,FIVy are not shot'
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1 jeNonetheless, many ilnkm must be wonder- turn to sone features of hirtiself did
?pie in the Soviet ing if the Yakir case the Stalinism which he oppose..
does not indicate a re-
DIE WELT, Hamburg
6 December 1972
CPYRGHT
THE YAKIR CASE AND THE LONDON 'OBSERVER'
by Cornelia Gerstenmaier
it is one of the practices of the Soviet security service.
.the KGB, to circulate certain false reports, and to launch them in
the Western press. In this column would come such things as the
report in the illustrated Stern, which 2 years ago published an
"Exclusive Interview" with an alleged aunt of Nobel prize winner
Alexander Solzhenitsyn. In it, the aunt had said negative things
about her nephew. The aunt's statements proved to be false, but
Stern had done Solzhenitsyn's notorious enemies a service.
Behind Stern was the "Novosti" news service, which had
provided the "a71-7 and other "information." This was no isolated
case, for"Novosti" is a purposeful and energetic institution,
which is generally known, to be a branch of the KGB.
It is all the more amazing that many foreign correspondents
are taken in again and again by the strange news arrangements of
the agency. Western reporters seem now to have been taken in again
by the KGB's pointed false reports. This time it is in connection
with the coming trial of Pyotr Yakir, the prominent civil rights
advocate.
Yakir was arrested on 21 June; this was surprising neither
to himself nor to his friends. For years, Yakir has been consi-
dered the protagonist of anti-Stalinism, who fought like Bukovskiy
and others for the realization of human rights in his country.
Yakir is the son of the famous General Yona Yakir, who was shot in
1937 on Stalin's orders. According to the illegal principle of
"arrest of kin," the son -- a child of 14 years -- was also put .
in prison. He describes the first part of the following 17 years
which he had to spend in concentration camps in a moving book,
which appeared in a German translation a few months ago. (Peter
Yakir, Kindheit in Gefangtmallalt, Insel Verlag, Frankfurt/Main,
1972, 187 pages). Like many other books on this theme, Yakir's re-
port is written decidedly laconically, moderately, and it is
just this dry mode of reporting which allows what is described t
unfold plastically before the reader, like a film.
In 1956, Pyotr Yakir was officially rehabilitated. A little
later, his executed father was also reaccepted in the ranks of
respected heros by party resolution. The son received a post as
a scientific worker at the Historical Institute of the Academy of
Sciences. He lost this work in 1969, not least because he warned
publicly against a revival of Stalinism.
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pprove or e ease 1 IUIU . -
Eyotr Yakir had become one of the most courageous spokes-
GiiiiRaHthe young "democratic movement." But while his friends and
comrades of like mind disappeared in the prisons one after another,
the officials hesitated to arrest Yakir. He was protected at first
by his own and his father's fate: the historic guilt of the regime
connected with it disconcerted even the authorities.
After repeated house searches and massive threats ("we'll
put an end to you in every imaginable way"), finally Yakir too.
was arrested. His will be perhaps the most important political
trial since Stalin. Yakiee wife, Valentina Savenkova, was told
by the KGB that the investigation could possibly take up to a
year; that is, more than the legal limit. On 13 November, Valen-
tina Savenkova was also arrested. Nothing is known of her present
fate. The assumption is, that they hope to put pressure on her
husband through her imprisonment.
Apparently the authorities think that they havenow found
a way out of the embarrassing "Yakir case." Referring to Moscow
dissident circles, the London Observer recently reported that
Yakir had "recanted," and in given the investigation
commission material against other members of the opposition. The
correspondent from the Observer comes to the astounding observa-
tion that Yakir "as a Marxist," could not "sanction the non-Marx-
ist aspects of the civil rights movement." The reporter expects
that Yakir will be the chief witness "in a trial" of other dissi-
dents.
Many a reader of the Times will perhaps remembger that
Yakir, shortly before his arrest, had commented on this to David
Bonavia, the Moscow correspondent from the Times who was later
expelled, as follows: "If they beat me, I will tell all. I know
this from my previous experience in camps. But you will know that
it: is not the real me who is speaking then..."
More likely, however, the Observer report is a fabricated
KGB report. One like it was also circulated immediately after
Yakir's arrest, as Western news services reported that Pyotr Yakir
had been arrested for "unconstitutional activity." (This version
was exactly contrary to the actual facts, since Yakir was finally
arrested for demanding observance of the constitution.) At that
time the Western press also referred to Soviet dissident circles.
Actually, however, official sources ("Novosti"?) had informed
foreign correspondents of the arrest of the clvil rights advocate,
and had added that fictitious justification.
A report which the BBC recently announced in connection
with the Yakir case seems even more contestable. There too, with
reference to "reliable sources," it was said that Yakir had
"given way" under investigation. At the same time, it was learned
that Yakir had to count on 4 years in prison, and in the event that
the famous Samisdat periodical "Chronicle of Current Events" con-
tinued to appear, he would be sentenced to another year of prison
for every issue which came out.
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are purely KGB special reports. The "Chronicle of Current Events."
the news organ of the "democratic movement," is already in its
fifth year, and the authorities have yet to succeed in eliminating
the bimonthly publication. Numerous people have been arrested
In connection with the "Chronicle," which is published anonymously,
and the 27th issue has nonetheless just appeared, although consi-
derably late. If Yakir is now to pay for the continuation of the
magazine with his freedom -- and this could mean with his life --
then behind this is an attempt to place moral pressure on the
publishers of the magazine, after other means have failed. ,
' It would be conceivable that the authorities will thus
succeed in suppressing the most impressive Samisdat product, and
in robbing the "democratic movement" of its most important means
of communication at the present time. What is sure is that a
defeat exacted in this way would not be to Yakir's liking, for he
and his friends have gone their way ready -- if necessary -- to
Day a high price.
CPYRGHT
Der Fall Jakir und
der ?Observer"
Lancierte Meldungen sollen den Biirgerrechtler diffarnieren
Eigenberlehtder WELT
R. ntsztmber
Es geh5rt zu den Praktiken des sowje-
tischen Sicherheitsdienstes KGB, ge-
Melte Falsenmeldungen in Umlauf zu
setzen und diese in die westliche Presse
vi lancieren. In diese Pubrik fiel ztnn
BeiSpiel em n Bericht der Illustrierten
?Stern", die vor zwei Jahren em n ?Ex-
klusiv-Interview" mit einer angeblichen
Tante des Nobel-Preistrilgera Alexander
Solsehenlzyn gebracht hatte. Darin hat-
te die Tante Nachteiliges tiber ihrtn
Nation gesagt. Die Angaben der Tante
erwiesen sich els falsch, der ,,Stern" le-
doch hatte Solsehenizyns notorischen
Feinden amen Must erwiesen.
Pinter dem ?Stern" hatte dna sowle-
tische Nachrichtenbtlrot Nowostifi ge-
.
standen, des die ?Tante und andere
anformationen" zur Verftlgung gestelit
CPYRGHT
Freunde nicht tiberraschend. Denn sett
Jahren gilt Jakir els der Protagonist des
Arm-0 .:111'nisfil -t ? I - %iv ? Alf ? %-
andere nachdrUcklich ftir die Verwirk-
lichung der Mensehenrechte in seinen
Land gekampft hat. Jakir let der Sohn
des bertihmten Generals Jona Jakir, der
1937 auf Befehl Staling erschossen wur-
de. !Nisch dem ungesetzlichen Prinzip der
?Sinpenhaft" kern damais aucn dbr Solui
? em n Kind von 14 Jahren ins Ge-
fling-nig. Den ersten Abschnitt der fol-
genden 17 Jahre, die Pjotr Jakir In
Konzentrationslagern verbingeh mullte,
schildert er in einem ergreifenden Bueh,
das vor einigen Monaten auch in deut-
scher libersetzung erschienen 1st. (Peter
Jakir: ?Kindheit in Gefangenschaft",
Insel-Verlag, Frankfurt/Main 1972, 187
Seiten). Wie viele andere Bticher zu
diesem Thema, let Jakirs Bericht betant
hatte. Dies 1st kein Einzelfall
lakonisch, ntichtern geschrieben und as
,
?Nowosti" let eine ebenso zielbewue 1st gerade diese trockene Art der Be-
win
te richterstattung, die cies Geschilderte wie
tatkraftige Institution, die allge- einen Film ganz plastisch vor dem Leser
let. Mehl els Zweigstelli, des KGB bekannt abrolien 18f3t.
Um so erstaunlicher let es, da' viele
Auslands-Korrespondenten immer wie-
der 6,1.1i die seitsamen NachrIchtend
arrangements der Agentur hereinfellen.
rn
Erneut scheinen jetzt -,-.,estliche Be-
rlchterstatter gezieiten Falscaeldun-
gen des KGB aufgesessen zu Beim Dies-
nal im Zusammenhang mit dem bevor-
stehenden Prozell gegen den prominen-
ten 13Orgerreditler Pjotr Jakir,
Jakir war cm 21. Juni verhaftet war-
den; Eh Ihn selbst und /dr seine
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1956 wurde Pjotr Jakir offiziell re-
habilltiert. Wenig Bidder wtirde durch
Parteibeschlun auch sein exekutlerter
Vater wieder in die Reihen der vareh-
rungswiirdigen Heiden aufgenomrnen.
Der Sohn erhielt einen Posten ale wis-!
senschaftlicher Mitarbeiter am Histori-
schen ,Institut der Akadeinie der Wis-
senschaften. Dlese Arbeit varier er 1969,
nicht zuletzt, well er offentlich vor
einem Wiederaufleben des Stalinismus
gewarrit hatte.
Pjotr Jakir war zu einem d'r mutig-.
sten Wortftihrer der lunge!), ?derriokta-
.1,1.41 ?
wahrend seine Freunde und Gesin-
nungsgenossen nacheinander 1r den
Gefangnissen verschwanden, zogerten
,
die 13chtirden, Jakir zu verhaften. Ihn
schUtzte Zuntichst main elgenes Und des
Vetere denn Sehieksali die damit verbundene
tustorisene achu a des rteglimo lautide
wohl selbst die Machthaber befangen.
Neel% wiederholted Hatisstichungen
ti.ld massive...! Drohttngen (?Mit Ihnert
warden wit auf led? erdenkliche Weise
Schlufl machen") wurde schltel3lich auch
Jakir verhaftet. Seine Verhandiung
wird der vielleicht wichtigste politische
Frozen salt Stalin sem. Jakira Frau, Va-
lentina Sawenkowa, wurde vom KGP
mitgeteilt, die tritersuchung_ vierde
mbglicherweise bis zu einem Jahr
dauern, also des gesetzlich festgesetzte
H6chstme8 tiberschreiten. Am 18.Iln-
vember wurde auch Valentina Sawen-
kowa verhaftet.. Cher ihr derzeitigen
Schicksal let rdehts bekannt. Die Ver-?
rnutting liegt nahef 'do man mit 'Direr
Inhaftierung 1hren Mann tinter Druck zu
setzen sueht. ? ,
Offenbar glaUbeti dle.Behtirden, Jetzt
ellen Aubweg ails dem ftlr ale peinlicher,
Jakir" gefunden zu haben. linter
Berufung auf Moskauer ' Dissidenten-
kreise horiehtete soehen fel Y./Nedori
erscheinende ?Cbserver", Jakir habe
?widerrufen" tiberdle.a babe er der Uri-
tersuchungSkinniniselort Belashingarnit-
terial Ober andtre Oppositionelle
Vartilgung geStellt;, Der .Xorreepor. let
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des ?Observer" kcimint iat der erstatm- .;
lichen,Begriindung, dail Jakir als ?Mar-
xist die nichtmarxistisehen Aspekte der
Bilrgerreehtebewegisng nicht billigen" '
!tonne. Der Berichterstatter erwartet,
da4 Jakir ,bei einem ProzeB" els Kron-
zeuge gegen andere Dissidenten vorge-
Rata werden wird, -- -
Maneher Leser der ?Times" wird sich
vielleicht erinnern, slaB Jkir. kurz vor
seiner Verhaftung irn Hinblick nut drew
dem wenig spater ausgewiesenen Mos-
kauer Korrespondenten der ?Times",
DaVid 13onavia, Folgendes gesagt hatte:
.,Wenn sie mich schlagen, werde leh al-
les sagen. Ich kenne dna aus meiner
frtiheren Lagererfahrung. Aber Sic
warden wissen, nab darAn nicht rnein
wirkliches kit spricht ..."
Wahrseheinlicher 1st allerdings, daB
bet dem ?Observer"-Berieht eine fabri-
zierte Zweckmeldung des KGB vorliegt.
Eine solehe war auch unmittelbar roach
.Takirs Verhaftung in 'Umlaut gebracht
warden, ala westliehe Naehrichtendien-
ste rneldeten, Pjatr Jakir sei wegen
?verfassungswidriger Tfitigkeit" ver-
haftet worden. (Diese Version stand in
gertauem Gegensatz zum eigentlichen
Sachverhalt, denn Sakir war letztlich
verhaftet worden, well er die Einhal-
tung der Verfassung gefordert hatte).
Auch darnels hatte sich die westliehe
Presse nut sowjetische Dissidentenkrei-
se berufen. Tatsilehlich hatten aber of-
fizielie Quellen (?Nowosti"?) ausiiindi-
stile Korrespondenten tiber die Verhaf-
tung des Btirgerrechtlers informiert und
jene fingierte Begrtindung hinzugefilgt,
Noah anfeehtbarer als der Bericht des
?Observer" erscheint eine Meldung, die
ktirzlich die BBC im Zusammenhang
mit dem Fall Jakir verbreitete. Atteh
dart hieB es unter Berufung aut ?zuver-
lassige Quellen", Jakir sei in der tinter-
suchungshaft ?umgefallen".Gleichzeitig
sei in Erfahrung gebracht worden, daB
Jaidr mit vier Jahren Haft zu rechnen
habe, und da3 er ? im Fall, dell dna be-
rtihmte Samisdat-Periodikum sChronik
der laufenden Ereignisse" weiterhin er-
scheine, far jede Nturtmer, die nOch
herauskomrne, zu einem weiteren Mu*
.Freiheitsentzug verurteilt werde.
, Dies schnst den Verslaeht, da13 inns%
bier mit reinen Zweekmeldtmgen des
KGB zu tun hat, vollena zu bestatigen.
Die ?Chronik der laUfendenEreignisse",
das 'Nachrichtenorgart der ?demokratis
schen Bewegung", erscheint nun berekts
im ftinften Jahr, ohne dall es denikle-
horden gelungen ware, die Zwahress
natssehrift auszuschalten. Zahlreiche
Personen sind Ira Zusammenhang mit
der anonym erscheinenden ?Chronik"
verhaftet worden, dennoch 1st soeben,
wenn such mit erheblicher Verspittung,
I die 27. Nummer erschienen. Wenn jetzt
Jakir mit seiner Freiheit und das
heifit unter Umstanden mit seinen Le-
ben ? far den Fortbestand der Zeit-1
schrift zahlen soil, dann steht dahinter
der Versuch, nut die Herausgeber der
Zeitsehrift moralischen Druck auszu-
ilben, nachdem andere Mittel versagt
haben.
wlire denkbar, daf3 es damit den-
Behorden gelingt, dna eindrucksvoliste
Produkt des Samisdat zu unterdrticken
und die ?demokratische Bewegung" ih-
res sun Zeit wichtlgsten Kommunika-
tionsmittelo zu berauben. Pest steht,daft
eine solche erprefite Niecierlage nicht im
Sinn Jakirs ware, denn at und seine
Freunde haben ihren Weg beschritten in
der Bereitschaft clafttr ? wenn Wig ?
ouch einen hohen Preis zu zahlen. ?
WASHINGTON POST
3 December 1972 CPYRGHT CPYRGHT
Dissident Said to Aid KG
ny Robert (i. Kaiser
?v Milnuor Post POrvirtii turvitit
MOSCOW, Dee. 2?Pyotr I
n prominent Soviet tits
intent arrested lnst June, h
cooperating with Soviet Mt
(hod Lies and providing in
formation Amu former col
iengurs, neenrdine to reports
Circulating in reliable
des: tsrries here.
Yakir's help has kept busy
here than n dozen represen(n,
lives of the , secret pollen
(KGB), who have been follow-
ing up lends he has provided,
the sources report.. At least 21
people In Moscow and other
titles have been called in by
the secret pollee as a result of
Ynkir's statements, the
sources said.
Appnrently, none or these
people has been arrested. The
sources said they had no iden
what might be the ultimate
COMierttlenert of the affair.
Before his arrest in June,
Yakir, 49, was probably the
single most native member of
Moscow's tiny dissident tom-
nitinitY. circulating documents
and prornoting the dissidents'
causes. tie had many acute
m -
toes. nmApproveac
spondents here, nnd was a
source Of nitwit niforninuon
ithoot ihn akslaimi tHrsi,rnitsist
Ile was also an extremely
heavy drinker, presumably an
aleoholle. Ile told-, the corre-
spondent of the London Times
in Moscow last winter that he
didn't know what he might
confess to if he was ever ar-
rested.
.-1! they beat me I will say
Anything." he told David Bona-
via, the Times correspondent
who has since been expelled
from Moscow by Soviet au-
thorities. "I know that from
my former experience in the
camps. But you will know It
will not be the real me spenk-
ing,"
Aecording to one report cir-
culating here, the deprivation
of alcohol in prison forced
Ynkir into prison hospitals
twice. After the second limp!.
tallzation, it is said, he began
cooperating with the KGB.
Some of those questioned by
pollee because of Yakir's stnte-
ments have met the former
dissident in personal, pin-
cinily-supervised confront a-
tionS, according to dissident
stitge4. In AS 92 r
'pi ?
La-
says that It would be 'best to
admit what went on in t(le
ppst, slid that ho now seas the
errors of his ways.
In one session with On out-
sider, Yakir reportedly said he
realized that he had gone too
far in his dissident activities
by establishing - connections
with emigre groups in the
IYest. the scurries said.
Some of the people called to
the KGB because of Yates
statements hold official jobs
la flr.rIAt11I. 1.1,41011,4 nt I
elsewhere, dissident sources
reported. Several had known
Yakir some years ago, but had
not seen him in s long time,
the sources said.
According to these sources,
Ynkir is niso telling the au-
thorities about his contacts
with foreign correspondents.
Many of 'Valdes activities
are undoubtedly well.known
to the police, who have been
monitoring his netivities for
years. Before he was arrested,
many dissident intellectuals
refused to have any dealings
with him, . because - they
thought this was unsafe.
Yakir is the only Soviet dig-
VA.:04=10W
try. His Wiwi., Clen, Iona
7
Wick, Was n hero of.Alie
sten Civil War end !ember trIt
the Communist Party Central
Committee. He was Idled In
Stalin's purges In 1937.
Yakir and his mother were
sent to prison camp at that
time. Be stayed inside for 17
years. The whole family was
rehabilitated by INtlitta S.
Khrushchev.
The younger Yakir has writ-
ten n hook about his youth In
erison camps. 11 was publisitt.1
Inst month in London.
The charges against Yakir
have not been publicly stated.
Dissidents assume he will be
charged With anti-Soviet activ-
ities. An unofficial report cir-
culating at the time of his ar-
rest said he would be accused
of systematically providing
anti-Soviet material to foreign
propaganda agencies. ?
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DALTINORE SUN CPYRGHT
23 December 1972
?
Soviet informer
reports doubted
Washfupton aureole of The Sun
wasntngton?A rumor the
the one-time head of the Sovle
dissident community is collabo
rat)ng with the authorities is a
bit of misinformation skillfully
planted by the secret police, in
the 'view of recent Soviet
emigres who maintain ties
with Moscow.
According to the emigres,
the account of Pyotr Yakir's
alleged co-operation with the
secret police probably was
spread by a dissident who was
attempting to ingratiate him-
self with the authorities in
order to get an exit visa.
t but coming as they do from
t two highly trustworthy Moscow
. sources, they do give reason to
question the reliability of the
earlier rumors ? about Mr.
Yakir. ? '
Mr. Yakir, the ? 49-year-old
son of a high Soviet Army
General executed during Josef
J. Stalin's purges, was ar-
rested last June, presumably
to be tried on charges of anti-
Soviet agitation. Early this
month some Western newsmen
?one quoting "reports circu-
lating in reliable dissident cir-
cles"?reported that Mr. Yakir
had given evidence against
dozens of his old friends:
25 reported called in
At least 25 forther associates
of Mr. Yakir were reported to
have been called In for interro-
gation by the police on the
basis of information he gave.
He was reported to be present
personally at some of the ses-
sions, apparently to challenge
his friends' denials of the
charges against them. He was
quoted as having told his
daughter, Irina, at a meeting
in prison that materials pub-
lished by the dissidents had
been used by "anti-Soviet"
forces abroad.
Moscow call transcripts
They base their theory on
'elephone calls they made re-
cently from New York to
members within the dissident
rommunity. in Moscow. They
nee transcripts of the con-
s,ersations.
The transcripts do not con-
elusively establish the source
d the rumors?a difficult task
my place and art almost im-
mssible one In the context of
Moscow's nervous and instinc-
t vely secretive underground?
LOS ANGELES TIMES
21 January 1973
Several things about the ru-
mors struck people who had
known Mr. Yakir as particu-
larly strange. He is a man
with a sense of strong personal
loyalties, not the type to need-
lessly endanger friends. The
remarks attributed to him
were not in keeping with his
"Weasels and lies"
? It Is Mr. Dubrov, the
emigres, think, who is the
source of the stories about Mr.
Yakir. The Moscow source
said Mr. Dubrov "weasels and
lies?each time he tells a dif-
ferent story."
Id Mr. Dubtuv
once had permission to leave
the country, but. that' it was
rescinded by the authorities,
He then was used by the police
in an effort to discredit Mr.
Yakir, the source suggested. ;
The second telephone convet-
sation was with Zinaida Grigo-
renko, the wife of former Red
Army Maj (len Pyntr
rcnko, who before his incarcer-
ation had preceded Mr. Yakir
as de facto leader of the dissi-
dents. "I think it Is advanta-
geous to someone to spread
these absurd rumors." she was
quoted as saying. "The investi-
gation has not even finished,
how could anyone know any-
thing?"
Mrs. Grigorenko, a dose
friend of the Yakir family,
described the meeting between
Mr. .Yakir and his daughter as
a simple visit between father
and daughter, having nothing
to do with the investigation or
politics. Irina ' was eight
months pregnant at the time
and ill. "At that meeting,"
Mrs. Grigorenko said, "all he
said was, 'My daughter, have
the baby and !tee a peaceful
life now.'"
ile
,'ree and open discussion of all
I Issues.
Psychological blow
Strangest of all was the
question of how the rumors
triginated. Even if there
ere any truth to them, whatn
ember of the democratic
I. ?
? I
110 ...111?11t 0,./.1,1 a pi the
damaging news, particularly to
the Western press.
The rumors about Mr. Yakir,
one of the most active and
most respected members of
the movement, were a major
new psychological blow to a
group already decimated by
prison sentences and exile to
the West. That was the aim,
the emigres argue, and the
rumor was a bit of clever
psychological warfare against
the dissidents.
In one of the telephone con-
versations, as reported by the
emigres, the Moscow source
called "nonsense" the ,report
that 25 people had been sum-
moned because of Mr. Yakir.
The source said that "without
the slightest doubt" only three
persons had been called 'in?
Mr. Yakir's daughter, another
woman close to the dissidents,
and a man called Dubrov.
A MAN BOWS ENDING A CHAPTER OF SOVIET DISSID
reIth a bush of dark hair. In his hea-
,I face the eyes are vigilant and
He is the protagonist in one
nf the most wretched and unexpeet-
i d episodes in the history of the lit-
tle band of Russian dissidents, for
yott- fonovich Yakir is said to have
collapsed dining his arrest and
thrned state's e.v idence against
those who were his friends,
'Yakir's whole lif.y has been a s?ic-
erssion of prrson II and political
ragot ies. He i, th^ son of Gen. Inna
Yakir. one of the at my le,.!!..Ts who
vas shot in purgn of senior
ofticers in Pyo:r lottovich him-
self then spent b.; of the first 30
:ve:irs. of his life in labor erinniz,
according to Thuy.
III, ? COMMUNIST ATROCITIES IN AN LOC.
The execution and torture of anti-communist civil servants of
the Viet-Nam Government is hardly new in the conduct of the com-
munist struggle for power in South Vietnam. In An-Loc, they have
practised the form of terror and revenge as they did elsewhere
constantly and ruthlessly to frighten people into submissiveness.
The following testimony of refugees and escapees from An-
Loc, as recorded by correspondent Nicolas Ruggieri of IPS, is con-
sidered fragmentary but sufficient to picture how the? communists
have applied their proselyting program ? and >c leniency 2, to their
innocent other-siders.
? 45 ?
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The dispatch went like this:
A woman refugee who declined to give her name told of
three officials slain by the communists in the area.
-- How did they kill them?
? They gunned them down.
? Did you see how they gunned them down?
? They shot them in the head.
-- How many bullets?
? Three bullets, one for each man.
--- Did the communists call upon the people to come and
witness the executions?
- Yes. they call upon the people 'to go there, but the people
are afraid of seeing the killing.., nobody wants to go. First those
communists planned to carry out the execution at the bus station,
later they did it at the police station. The people do not want to
see these bloody executions...
Le-Van-Can, a rural development cadre from An-Loc, said:
If one of us was captured, it's sure he would be severely punished.
The communists would kill him in the most miserable way, such
as cutting up his hands and his feet and arrange the pieces of
hands and feet on the ground so that they would spell out rural
development cadre.
? 46 --
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CPYRGHT
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-- In your opinion, are civil servants and cadres particular
targets of the communists?
? They called us wicked pacification and considered us their
number one enemies. They would kill us immediately if we were
captured. Next to us (rural development cadres) are policemen
and security agents.
Tran-Van-Hoa, a youthful An-Loc refugee who is a polio vic-
tim said :
- - My father was an interfamily chief. He ran for hamlet
chief and was placed on the communists' black-list. When he
became security officer of our hamlet he was again marked for
death. Knowing this, he decided to join the army. One night he
came back to see our family, and the communists tracked him
down and burned the house. He managed to escape but was soon
captured and after 30 minutes of investigation the communists
killed him on the spot....
IV. -- THE BLOODBATH IN BINH-DINH.
The communists always talk about their War of Liberation .
and their sacred mission of Liberating the South They had the
chance to control the northern part of Binh-Dinh for two months
and here is one among many stories of how people are liberated'
to the extend from - - by them:
? 49 ?
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? ... Mrs Nguyen-Thi-Chin, the mother of three child-
ren, recounted for us the events which made her a widow.
Her busband, Mr Ho-Nguu, the elect hamlet chief of Tai
Luong on Highway 1 a few kilometers north of Bong
Son in Hoa-Nhon District, was with the 40th Regiment in
position close to his hamlet. At the time the regiment
abandoned their camp under heavy communist attack,
Mr Nguu was unable to leave with the soldiers because
during the withdrawal he was badly burned by napalm
which hit close to his position. The communists let his wife
take him back to their home in Tai-Luong where she
nursed him.
? Then on May 25, just about the time he was able to
get out of bed and walk slowly, the cadres came to the
house and arrested both Mr Nguu and his wife. Their arms
were tied behind them and they were led to the Hoai-
Thanh Primary School on Highway 1 where some three
hundred people had been gathered.
? Again it was a night time setting. Mrs Nguu was for-
ced to kneel behind him. As the ? People's Court . pro-
ceeded, Nguu was accused of being a