PARIS: President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto told a Press conference here this morning [July 26] Pakistan was quite prepared under certain conditions to recognise Bangladesh but could not agree to compromise her principle in regard to the right of self-determination of Kashmiris.

Asked if Pakistan would agree after the prisoners of war question was solved to accept a permanent settlement of the Sub-continent issues based on status quo not only in Bangladesh but also in Kashmir, the President said Pakistan could not agree to take both aspects of the situation together and regretted that the international community had been insensitive on the question of the right of self-determination of Kashmiris but had actively supported East Pakistan`s secessionists assisted by Indian invasion, though it was not a case of self-determination because of its being one country with Pakistan.

However, he said, Pakistan was ready to accept status quo in regard to Bangladesh in a spirit of accommodation ... but Kashmir presented a clear case of self-determination and continued to be a disputed territory. Asked about his talks with President Pompidou, Mr Bhutto said he was `leaving the shores of this beautiful country with satisfaction`. Correspondent