পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৩৬৯

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
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in any form now to the military government of Pakistan would be seen as assisting if in its thwarting of the will of the majority in East Pakistan. This would undoubtedly cause Communist inspired groups already existing in East Pakistan to gain adherents.

 From what I have learned of the leadership of the Awami League, it is moderate. and they scored electoral success on a program of gaining a fair share of economic resources arid political power. They made democracy work.

 The military government of Pakistan showed during its inadequate attempts to alleviate suffering caused by the flood and cyclone, and proved conclusively by its bloody policy of destruction after March 25. 1971, that it is not to be trusted with control over relief supplies.

 To allow American aid to be utilized by the still intransigent military government would merely exacerbate passions and probably assure the end of any opportunity for people who cherish democracy and who are friendly to the free countries of the world to exercise their electoral mandate.

Indian response has been magnificent

 Mr. Speaker, the response of the Indian Government to the crisis created by the actions of the Government of Pakistan has been magnificent. They have demonstrated almost unbelievable restraint in view of the provocative effects of the army's brutal sweep and they have shown inspiring compassion to the refugees. If it can ever be said that any government is truly moral and humanitarian, the Government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has earned that distinction in the weeks since the first refugee crossed her border.

 But India obviously cannot continue to accept 100,000 refugees each day. The regions of India surrounding East Pakistan, particularly West Bengal, are not richly endowed with resources or with wealth. The indigenous Indians have little to call their own and, while they have shared what little they have with some of the refugees. it cannot be expected that any human being would not begin to resent massive waves of foreigners. Coupled with the fact that there are no jobs for the refugees, we also now understand that cholera is being brought in by those forced to flee East Pakistan. I have learned that for the past several days there has been a 5-mile-long line of refugees waiting to cross the border.

 Of course, the United States is correct to radically increase its aid to these refugees but even the recently announced S 15 million will only feed these people for 3 or 4 days. To avoid a wholly understandable reaction by India to these incredible facts, the situation must return to normal inside East Pakistan as soon as possible.

What is really happening inside East Pakistan

 Mr. Speaker. I have tried to indicate what must be occurring inside East Pakistan today. One bread ran through the hundreds of interviews I held with all types of refugees- rich. poor, educated, ignorant, heavily, mutilated. The common story was something like this: