পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/১১৮

90 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড and not be irritable about it. (HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I knew this would be controversial, but the Right Hon. Gentleman should welcome the opportunity to reply to questions genuinely raised. Has not the time now come to go beyond relief and ask the President of Pakistan to accept a United Nations Commission in East Pakistan so that the people who are afraid to return or to stay could have international supervision to make them feel more secure? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: There is now an international team in Pakistan assessing the need for aid. I must remind the Hon. Gentleman that Pakistan is all independent country and we cannot dictate a political settlement. I hope that I showed no irritation at the Right Hon. Gentleman, but I think I am justified in asking the House when we have done so much to recognize that and perhaps urge other people to do more. Mr. Braine: My Right Hon. Friend has indicated this afternoon that a catastrophe of even greater proportions will loom ahead in East Pakistan as result of the failure of crops and the break-down of communications. In view of the slowness of the United Nations to respond to this terrible situation, will my Right Hon. Friend say whether there could be preliminary talks with the food-producing Commonwealth countries-Canada, Australia and New Zealand in particular-about stock-piling against the day when food on a. massive scale may be required? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: This is why the American Secretary of State and I took the initiative we did in April. Now there is a United Nations team on the spot which should be able to assess quickly what the needs may be in September, October and November I will certainly press for that estimate and if we can Assist by alerting Commonwealth countries to the possible need to supply food and keep it in reserve, I will do so. Mr. Stonehouse: Is the Foreign Secretary aware that there is widespread appreciation among the charities in Britain of the humane and sympathetic way in which he responded to their requests? Reverting to the earlier answer he gave about approaches to the United Nations, does not he appreciate that there are special reasons why India has not asked for this to be raised? India does not wish to be accused of trying to stir up trouble in East Bengal, and has been meticulous about that. If the Foreign Secretary will discuss this question with the Indian Foreign Minister when he arrives next week and if the Indians feel that they would like this to be raised in the Security Council, will the Foreign Secretary do so on behalf of Her Majesty's Government and of the world community who are now utterly disgusted that a military regime is suppressing the population of East Bengal in the way the Foreign Secretary revealed in answer to the question raised by Right Hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter)? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: Of course I will talk over all these matters with the Indian Foreign Minister. If the Indian Government make a direct request to us for assistance we shall of course consider it favorably. I hope I made it clear to the Right Hon. Lady and others that we accept no limit to the additional money we could give. We want to see what is needed, and we will give more money if it is required. The question of the Security Council must be for the Indian Government.