পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৪১১

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
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 shipped. And, in fact, it is now acknowledged that future shipments will be made, supposedly because the agreement to provide the arms being sent was made prior to March 25, the day fighting broke out.

 Thus, while the State Department was denying that there was military assistance to the West Pakistan Government arms were on their way.

 Once again, military assistance is being provided by the United States to support repression and violence. Once again, political expediency-and I take it that that is what in fact is motivating this administration, since clearly humanitarianism cannot, justify its actions-is the prevailing basis for policy.

 These shipments must immediately be halted. No paper agreement, arrived at some magic date prior to March 25, can justify the supply of arms, many of which no doubt will be used to continue the violence leveled at East Pakistan.

 To achieve this end, I have joined in cosponsoring House Joint Resolution 765, which calls for the suspension of “all military assistance, and all sales and deliveries of military equipment and weapons.” to Pakistan, as well as the suspension of “all licenses for military sales including those already approved” for a period of 365 days “unless the President determines that such assistance, sales, or deliveries are required for reasons of overriding national interest and so reports to the Congress.” This bill deserves immediate passage.

 I am pleased to note that the Foreign Assistance Act of 1971, H. R. 99.10, does in fact suspend aid to Pakistan. This is an extremely important action by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I would have only hoped that the language of the bill could have been stronger, inasmuch as it now has language allowing abrogation of the suspension of East Pakistani refugees have been allowed, “to the extent feasible.” to return to their homes and to reclaim their lands and properties. However, even with this caveat, this provision still provides excellent opportunity for the Congress to accomplish what the administration has failed to do.

 I would also note that the Foreign Assistance Act of 1971. H. R. 9910, authorizes 100 million for relief for East Pakistani refugees, and this is particularly commendable. Other steps, as well, must be taken. The U. S. Government must clearly express its abhorrence of the actions taken by the Pakistani Government. It must clearly articulate our discountenance of the abrogation of the elections which occurred earlier this year. It must encourage a massive relief effort by the United Nations, and support that effort.

 An article by Lee Leascze, published in the July 24, 1971, edition of the Washington Post and entitled “U. S. Arms Aid to Pakistan Bewilders Fearful Bengalis,” quoted a Bengali as stating that-

 The cradle of democracy..................... is against us.

 All too sadly, that is not an inaccurate assessment of the public posture the Administration has assumed, Ambivalence in the face of the human horror of Bangladesh is the present position of the U. S. Government. That must be changed.