power from Ayub, the people acquiesced in it, only because there was a clear understanding that power would be transferred to the representatives of the people after a constitution was framed by the elected representatives of the people.
Today, the stage has come for the drafting of the constitution but the military junta backed by the West Pakistani vested interests have struck again in order to thwart the restoration of power to the people. The “indefinite suspension” of the National Assembly, on the specious pretext of a agreement between Bhutto and Mujib and tensions between India and Pakistan has not fooled the people of East Pakistan. They knew from their bitter experiences in the past the perfidy of the vested interests in West Pakistan.
Thousands have already died in different cities and towns of East Pakistan protesting against the attempt to continue the military rule indefinitely. The solidarity that the people of East Pakistan has demonstrated on this issue is unparalleled in the world. Students, professionals, government servants have all joined together in a common cause. For once the vested interests in West Pakistan have not been able to find a single quisling among the 75 million people of East Pakistan. Is it not now the time for Americans to ponder over their role in this situation? How many Americans know that the arms furnished by U.S. over the years for defending the country are now being used against unarmed civilians in East Pakistan?
East Pakistan will fore-ever remember with gratitude the unstinting aid provided to them by the United States during their hour of need in the aftermath of cyclone only a few months ago. It is now their hope that Americans will not look on with unconcern at a human tragedy that is in the process of unfolding and may outstrip the devastating effects of the cyclone in human suffering.
Historically, the primary concern of the army in Pakistan has not been the defence of Pakistan, but defense of the vested interests of West Pakistan against the legitimate aspirations of the people of Pakistan.
The shameless role of the army is now being re-enacted in East Pakistan in full view of the world. It is therefore our earnest appeal to the American people, their representatives in Congress, their government, that the U.S. refrain from resuming arms aid promised to Yahya Khan during his visit to Washington in October last year.
The situation in East Pakistan today is not much different from what was in the United States when you embarked on your glorious struggle. (Like the British colonies in America, East Pakistan is being bled white in the interests of alive rulers thousand miles away. Like you, we arc having to pay taxes to a distant government indifferent to our welfare, without any rights of representation. Like you, we have decided to exercise our right of self determination. Like you, we will prevail, no matter what the cost.)
If you cannot help us, we beg of you, at least do not help the occupation forces in East Pakistan to continue their oppressive colonial rule.
Yours sincerely,
KAZI S. AHMAD
President.
