Steps are urgently needed on at least four fronts.
First, stronger efforts must be made by individual governments and the United Nations to encourage and facilitate political accommodations between the central Pakistan government and political forces within East Pakistan, so as to stop the flow of refugees into India and facilitate the return of those who have already fled the civil conflict.
Secondly, our government must place higher priority on urgently needed emergency relief operations within East Pakistan, as a condition for any normalization of general American economic assistance to the central government. In this connection, our government should immediately respond to Pakistan's stated need for food and medical supplies and water transport for the distribution of relief commodities by Pakistani authorities and international personnel.
Thirdly, immediate initiatives by our government and others must be taken through appropriate diplomatic channels to ameliorate the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India-tensions which threaten the peace and stability of the region and needless Great Power confrontation in South Asia.
And fourthly, our government must not stand idle because of the United Nations continuing immobilization in responding substantially to India's appeal for international assistance on April 23rd. As of today, no United Nations relief operation is being implemented in India. Until this is done, our government should respons to India's appeal on a bilateral basis. India has stated its requirements to meet human need, and our allocation of funds to an immobilized international organization, only aggravates the immediate crisis of people conforn-ting the Indian government.
I am extremely hopeful that our government will view the plight of the people in East Pakistan and the refugees in India with deep compassion, and, with a strong sense of urgency, will join with others in responding immediately to the requirements of peace and relief throughout the entire area.
Sincerely,
EDWARD M. KENNEDY,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Refugees.
