পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্দশ খণ্ড).pdf/৬৩৩

601 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড Yahya Khan added that he had been prepared to give East Pakistan "the largest measure of autonomy ever thought of in politics" but that lie had to take military action when he was convinced that Sk, Mujib had prepared a full plan for secession. The President's abortive attempt to give Pakistan a democratic system has already led to so many difficulties that many people, some in the army, seem convinced that no fresh experiments should be made. And yet Yahya Khan insists that a civilian government must take over. He told us he hoped there would be such a government before the 2500th anniversary of the Iranian monarchy in October and in any case before the end of the current year. "I am determined to hand over power to the elected representatives of the people", he emphasized. By-Elections In The East At the moment he is busy preparing the grounds for a series of by election in East Pakistan to fill vacancies created by the banned Awami League National Assembly members departure to India. The number of Awami League deputies who have fled to India is estimated to be 40, out of a total of 168. Some of them will be able to return and retain their seats since a general amnesty has been given to all people guilty of "political crimes." The sole exceptions made about people charged with high treason or found guilty of "murder, rape, arson, loot, violence and armed robbery". Disqualified Deputies The President refused to say many Awami League deputies would be disqualified but assured us that an announcement would be made very soon. A special committee has been set up to decide on the matter. The by-elections, he told us. would not take place on one day since he did not wish to have "forces of law and order stretched too thin". All AL members 'not guilty of crimes' would be able to stand as independents. The President will be visiting East Pakistan within the next few days and the by-elections are expected to take place in August. Once all the vacancies are filled, the National Assembly will be immediately convened. It will no longer be charged with the tasks of drafting a constitution but would be asked to form a government. A draft constitution prepared by the President's own advisors will be submitted to the Assembly as "a broad framework." The assembly will be able to amend it in whatever way it deems fit. The draft constitution. Yahya Khan told us, "will be based on the demands of the parties. I know what the politicians want and 1 have asked my advisors to take all their demands into account, keeping in mind that whatever is necessary should be done to preserve the unity of the country".