পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্দশ খণ্ড).pdf/৫৮৬

554 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড ready to allow a team of experts to make an objective appraisal of what is needed and that they will be prepared to accept assistance, if that is judged to be needed, on an international basis. He repeated that Britain was prepared to take part in any international relief effort which it would be best to organise through the United Nation. The Foreign Secretary's argument was that because of the disruption of communications there might well be food shortages in East Pakistan later this year. But in addition there was the problem of the refugees who had poured across the border into India. The latest estimate is that the influx is now at the rate of thirty thousand people a day. British relief organizations are flying supplies out to them, and Sir Alec announced a cash grant to help with the transport of these supplies. The Labor Party's spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr. Dennis Healey expressed concern that there should be a political settlement in Pakistan well, Sir Alec replied, we are in constant touch with the President of Pakistan. But this must be for the people of the country. Nobody can dictate it from outside. q | BURMIESE SECTION PAKISTAN PRESS ROUNDUP 6th June, 1971 by Basil Clarke (S) Today in Britain the Sunday newspapers present vivid evidence of the increasing concern that is being felt about the refugees from East Pakistan. Three of the leading Sunday newspapers all headline the plight of the refugees. The Observer calls it the 'Agony of Bengal' the Sunday Times says that the refugees may die in millions'; while the Sunday Telegraph headlines the action being taken by Mr. Gandhi to create a 'huge dispersal plan'. The evidence of British public concern about the situation is also reflected in the editorials. The Sunday Times splits the problem of the refugees into two parts. First how to ensure adequate supplies to meet their immediate needs and second how to bring about conditions in East Pakistan which will make it possible for the refugees to return there safely. To meet the needs of the refugees the Sunday Times says there must be an international relief effort. It suggests that the UN High Commission for Refugees should co-ordinate and administer relief. But what of the wider problem? How are the refugees to be sent home safely? The Sunday Times says there is an argument for withholding foreign economic assistance from Pakistan until the Pakistan Government is willing to withdraw the West Pakistan Army from East Pakistan and give a measure of autonomy to the Eastern province. The paper admits that this is using aid for political purposes,