পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্দশ খণ্ড).pdf/৮৮৯

857 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ ৩৫৬ পাকিস্তানে ফিরে যেতে বাংলাদেশ মিশন দি ষ্টেটসম্যান ১৯ জুলাই, ১৯৭১ THE STATESMAN, JULY 19, 1971 Pak Charge Refuted BANGLADESH MISSION STAFF REFUSE TO GO BACK INTERVIEW BY SWISS REPRESENTATIVE By Our Special Representative Sixty-four staff members of the Bangladesh Mission in Calcutta, including the Mission's Chief Mr. Hossain Ali all of whom had transferred their allegiance from Pakistan Government to the Republic of Bangladesh made it clear during an inquiry by a Swiss Government representative Dr. Bonard in Calcutta on Sunday that they "do not wish to return to Pakistan". Dr. Bonard who is a member of the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi undertook the inquiry to check on the Pakistan Government's allegation that the 65 Bengali Mission staff members, who had formerly belonged to the Pakistani Deputy High Commission in Calcutta, were coerced to transfer their allegiance to Bangladesh Government. The inquiry assumed importance because on it depended the solution of the diplomatic impasse leading to the house arrest in Dacca of Indian Mission's staff members numbering about 130 and their families, along with Mr. K. C. Sen Gupta, who was India's Deputy High Commissioner in that city. Mr. Mehdi Masud the newly appointed Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan in Calcutta and his staff have been given reciprocal treatment in Calcutta, Considerable diplomatic efforts were made for repatriation of both the Indian and Pakistani Mission staff from Dacca and Calcutta till agreement was reached regarding the Swiss arrangement. Following the agreement a neutral place, Hindi High School in Calcutta was found for Dr. Bonard's examination of the Bangladesh Mission staff members. Each of them was questioned separately by the Swiss diplomat in the presence of Mr. Masud and Mr. A. K. Roy, Joint Secretary, Union Foreign Affairs Ministry. According to prior agreement Dr. Bonard put only one question to each of the Mission staff. The question was "Do you wish to return to Pakistan or not? If you wish to return the Government of India will provide you with safe conduct in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Convention. Please state your wish". While 62 members of Bangladesh Mission, each filing past Dr. Bonard took little time to say "no" regarding their wish to return to Pakistan. Mr. Hossain Ali the Chief of the Mission refused to appear before the examination at the appointed place. He said that he could meet Dr. Bonard accompanied by Mr. Roy and Masud at a place arranged by himself. He would have been glad to receive them at the Bangladesh Mission office, but he would not like the presence of Mr. Masud in the office premises.