পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২৬৫

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড

 It is our strong hope and belief that as this U.N. led effort of relief and rehabilitation gets underway in East Pakistan it will help restore confidence among the people of East Pakistan, which in turn should contribute to conditions that will encourage a return flow of those refugees now in India. We are under no illusions on this score, however, since we recognize full well that there can be no significant return of the millions of refugees until there are political, economic and social condition in East Pakistan that will inspire confidence among the refugees themselves.

 All of these issues relate to the two clearly fundamental points you raise in your letter, that is, the part we might be able to play to encourage reconciliation between the two wings of Pakistan and to contribute to the outlook for peace among the countries of South Asia. These purposes are fundamental to our policies in South Asia. We believe that any progress toward their accomplishment requires that we seek actively to maintain co-operative relationships with both India and Pakistan. We cannot dictate to either how they should solve their problems and we must recognize the limits on our influence. But we believe it is only through keeping a substantive relationship with each of them that we can be effective in counseling restraint and encouraging resolution of the great problems that have so often divided these two countries and endangered peace in the subcontinent.

 I know that officers of the Department directly concerned would be happy to meet with you or your staff if you would want elaboration on any, of these points. Please feel free to call on us to this effect whenever the Department can be of help.

Sincerely yours,  
Harrison M. Symmes, 
Acting Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations.