Two days later when Babul returned from Taki he reported that next day Mr. Badsah (Aminul Haq Badshah of External Affairs Ministry) went to the same Headquarters with some foreign journalists and was furious to find Peter there who had gone there without Badshah's help. Anyhow, he also included Peter in the group and look them round on a sight-sccing tour of the “liberated areas”.
Now these facts how that it is the Sector Commander on whom depended the whole thing. Peter could not have gone near the camp if he did not permit. Sector Commander Jalil, as I know, is an experienced officer, and knew exactly what was at stake. He told Peter that the camp was the border but not exactly on Bangladesh soil. Peter gave him his professional promise not to divulge the fact to outside world. Major Jalil believed him because he knew that western journalists of repute never go back on their words-it is a part of their professional ethics and to a great extent. responsible for their international success. Almost all the foreign journalist know on which soil the headquarters of the Bangladesh Government is located. But they never divulged this fact. I have a feeling that almost all the foreign journalists know exactly how many hardcore training camps we have and on which soil they are located right now. But they do not go for cheap disclosures and this is why, even after seven months of this war, nothing about Mujibnagar's actual location has been speculated upon. This display of exasperation vis vis this “Indian soil” business is rather cockeyed and could not possible be serious.
Thus: in reply to the accusations I hope I have been able to show that I myself neither had the power nor the enthusiasm to introduce Peter Carmichel into any Mukti Bahini Training Camp. Secondly' Peter could not have stayed longer than one night in the camp as he met Aminul Haq Badshah the second day. And, if he had been to forward base as was arranged earlier he did not stay in the camp even for one night.
It is surprising that this so-called ‘reporter’ could report so many lies to a government department and the department concerned could proceed with them officially without trying to ascertain the reality by contacting me against whom the accusations have been made. This relects a deplorable attitude. Either the government's authority is being grossly misused and abused or the person concerned who took so much trouble to collect the lies, . ... the government seriously. I have been in international field is ever older. As I have thrown my lot unconditionally with people and the Government of Bangladesh right from its inception. I love and nurse my allegiance to both unstintedly. It hurts me grievously when find some people with untested loyalty to the Government and the people seize on to flimsy pretexts to question either my wisdom or allegiance. I do hope that you will move the relevant echelons to bring to an end such shocking attempts at scandalisation once and for all.
As a postscript let me inform you that peter Carmichel has served our cause quite effectively by publishing an illustrated feature in L’Express on the Mukti Bahini last week. Unfortunately, he is now furious over another thing. Apparently, Mr. Badshah has told Peter Jennings of CBC that he suspects Peter Carmichel of being a Pakistani spy. Mr.
