prevails in Hast Pakistan where the mass killing of unarmed civilians, the systematic elimination of the intelligentia, and the annihilation of the Hindu population is in progress.
The reports of the American Consul, Mr. Blood (available to Senators and Congressmen) contain a more detailed and complete account of the situation. In addition, he has submitted concrete proposals for constructive moves our Government can make. While in no way suggesting that we interfere with Pakistanis internal affairs. Mr. Blood asserts, and we support him, that the U.S. must not continue to condone the military action with official silence We also urge you to read the Dacca official community's open cable to the State Department. It is for unlimited distribution and states the facts about the situation in East Pakistan. By not making a statement, the State Department supports the clearly immoral action of the West Pakistani army, navy and air force against the Bengali people.
Fully recognizing the inability of our government to oppose actively or to intervene in this oppression of the Bengalis. I urge you to seek and support a condemnation by Congress and the President of the United States of the inhuman treatment being accorded the 75 million people of East Pakistan. The silence of our government is being widely regarded as tacit approval of the action being taken by the Pakistan military. No political consideration can outweigh the importance of a humanitarian stand reiterating the American brief in the value of individual lives and a democratic process of government. The action of President Yahya banning the democratically elected majority party who had 98 % of the East Wing's electorate backing them, ought to arouse a response from a country who prides itself on the democratic process.
We urge you to speak out actively against the tragic massacre of civilians and take the humanitarian stand which must override any consideration of power politics.
