পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৩৪

ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড Sir Alec Douglas-Home: I have long been convinced, as everyone has, that a programme of economic development in necessary for East Pakistan. We are willing to play any part in an international organization which would contribute to that end. The first thing, however, is to end the fighting and get back to some kind of political stability in the country, Mr. Shore: We welcome what the Right Hon. Gentleman has said about ending the strife and the need for reconciliation. Will he add something more about the safety of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and impress upon the Pakistan Government how essential it is to release the leaders of this freely elected Democratic Party so that the political process can be resumed? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: I do not think that I can go further than to say that in our view there will have to be a political settlement. For that purpose there must be political talks. I cannot as a member of the British Government possibly dictate to anyone in Pakistan what form those talks should take. Mr. St. John-Steavas: While fully supporting my Right Hon. Friend's declaration of neutrality and non-interference, may I ask him to use his influence to impress upon neighboring states, including India, the necessity to follow a similar policy? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: As 1 understands it, the Prime Minister of India has said that India has no intention of intervening in the internal affairs of Pakistan and has cautioned people against creating new difficulties by talking of it. Mr. Thorpe: All of us would agree that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan, but while accepting that the Commonwealth Study Group-for reasons I will not go into-is not exactly a happy precedent, may I ask the Right Hon. Gentleman whether he would not nevertheless approach the Commonwealth Secretary-General to see whether there could not be some Commonwealth initiative for a form of mediation which would bring the two sides together? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: This must be a matter for the Government of Pakistan if they want any assistance. Mr. Douglas Mann: Is the Right Hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread feeling that Pakistan, after the events of the last few weeks, can never again be one country? Is he further aware that to take the view that this is an internal matter of a Commonwealth country-which is most circumstances would be perfectly proper and appropriate-is not in this context the right one, and that the British Government do have influence and should be using it to secure a cease-fire? Is the Right Hon. Gentleman further aware that there is a widespread opinion on both sides of this House-an all-party Motion to this effect secured over one hundred signatures todaythat the Right Hon. Gentleman should use the significant influence he can exercise to ensure that the fighting in Pakistan ceases as soon as possible? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: Certainly I respond to the Hon. Gentleman's request. We will use all the influence we can. We are deeply concerned about the division of Pakistan. We believe that the division should be ended. I do not believe that it will be ended by external intervention, although it may be helped by private advice.