If after the elections they (parties) refuse to accept the LFO, as far as I am concerned I will take it that they have not taken pan in the elections. Martial Law continues and it shall continue.
At one point the President was asked if the criticism against his Government regarding relief operation had been politically motivated. General Yahya said he was not an aspirant or participant in politics. He said the people of Pakistan must form their own Government. He was under obligation only to see that the proposed constitution assured integrity, safety and security of the country.
He said that the sovereignty will be given to the National Assembly only when he has handed over the power. Until then everything is under cover and umbrella of Martial Law.
The President who on a number of occasions advised the critics of his Government to “come to power as quickly as possible through elections", said he would like to hand over the responsibility of the administration to the people's Government as soon as possible. “I want to hand over power to people's Government. I am a soldier, and I want to go back to soldiering”.
President's attention was drawn by foreign correspondents to criticisms by political leaders and the national. Press on the relief operation. IIc said I accept these criticisms from my people. My only request is that they be constructive.
Criticism of the Central Government by political leaders came in for quick retorts from the president. When a foreign correspondent wanted President's comment on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's allegation of “criminal negligence” on the part of the Central Government, General Yahya said: I did not bring the cyclone. It was not my fault. My fault begins taking shape only when I do not do anything for the surviving people.
When another correspondent referred to Sheikh Mujib's charges of callous-ness on the part of the “guilty bureaucrats", the President said his advice would be: Let them come to power as quickly as possible.
About Awami League leader's assertion that a quick move by the Pakistan Navy could have saved many lives, the President said the allegation arose out of lack of information. “I hope they come to power and do better. I have tried to do my maximum”.
