পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/১৩৩

105 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ পাক-ভারত যুদ্ধ পরিস্থিতি সম্পর্কে কমনস্ | কমনস সভার কার্যবিবরণী | ১৩ ডিসেম্বর ১৯৭১ সভায় বৃটিশ পররাষ্ট্র সচিবের বিবৃতি Statement by Sir Alec Douglas-Home Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary in the British House of Commons December 13,1971 The hostilities between India and Pakistan continue, Indian forces have advanced deep into East Pakistan, have captured the town of Jessore and have now virtually surrounded Dacca. Fighting is also continuing on the border between India and West Pakistan particularly in the Chhamb area where Pakistani forces have penetrated into Indian territory. As the House is aware, seven British subjects were killed and six injured when a British ship was attacked in Karachi harbour on December 9. In a message to the Prime Minister, the Indian Prime Minister has expressed great regret for this attack and we are seeking compensation. Apart from this tragic incident, we are not so far aware that any other British lives have been lost. Airlift I am happy to say that the airlift of British subjects and other foreign nationals from Karachi, Islamabad and Dacca is now complete. This means that, with the exception of a small number of United Kingdom nationals in Khulna and Chittagong and elsewhere about whom urgent enquiries are being made, some of whom appear to have taken the decision to remain; all those British subjects wishing to leave Pakistan have now done so. Over 1,300 persons were airlifted out of Pakistan by the Royal Air. Force in three days. This Was no easy task and in the case of Dacca in particular it was carried out in circumstances of considerable difficulty and danger. I am sure the House will wish to join me in expressing congratulations and thanks to all those in the Services and in our posts in the sub-continent who were involved in this achievement. Our Deputy High Commissioner and a residual staff remain in Dacca, Arms Sales Since the fighting broke out, we have reviewed our policy on arms sales and, as I promised the House on December 6, we have been in touch with the Governments of countries who have been main suppliers to India and Pakistan. I must report that as a result of these contacts there is no prospect of any general embargo on the sale of arms. That being so, I have considered what our own attitude should be. There is, as the House knows, no military aid to India. As for sales, the Indian Government have a number of long-term contracts with commercial firms for the supply of military equipment. These are subject to export license, the grant of which is being kept under constant review, in the light of the existing circumstances, including the state of