বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
Also held in readiness a further 170,000 tons of wheat, the balance from an earlier agreement for East Pakistan as a whole, to be shipped as soon as port and distribution facilities permit.
Though to date there has been no specific request from the Government of Pakistan for international relief assistance in East Pakistan, we have been informed that the Government would welcome such assistance. It is now in the process of compiling lists of supplies that may be needed in East Pakistan, and intends to approach friendly governments, in due course.
We will continue to keep in close touch with you and with your staff on the situation in East Pakistan and on the refugee problem.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant Secretary, Congressional Relations.
WASHINGTON D. C. JUNE 15, 1971.
Subcommittee on Refugees
Committee on the Judiciary U. S. Senate.
DEAR MR CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your further letter, dated May 27, on the situation in East Pakistan and the heavy flow of refugees into India, and for the suggestions you have made for U. S. bilateral and multi-lateral action on these very pressing and serious problems.
At the out set, I wish to reassure you that the United States Government views, with the same compassion you do, the plight of the people in East Pakistan and the refugees in India. We have responded directly and in cooperation with other countries to the requirements of peace and humanitarian relief in this area. We shall continue to do so.
I am enclosing a Department of State Press Release of June 12 which sets forth our recent actions to support relief efforts for East Pakistan and for the refugees in India and which also describes the three basic elements of U. S. policy regarding the East Pakistan situation. It demonstrates that we have responded promptly and positively to the emergency needs of both countries when requested. The following additional comments bring our actions up to date and respond to specific points you have raised.
In your letter you speak first of the need for individual governments and the United Nations to encourage and facilitate a political accommodation in East Pakistan. We have been urging such an accommodation publicly, and privately in discussions with the Government of Pakistan and have noted that President Yahya, in his May 24 press conference in Karachi, affirmed his intention to return power to the elected representatives. While the United Nations, as you know cannot intervene in the political aspects of this
