পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৪৫৯

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
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 The murder, rape, looting, burning, and genocide practiced against those whose only sin was to win a fair and free election and which caused 10 million Bengalis to flee to India totally removes this question, in my view, from the queasy legalism of “an internal matter of Pakistan.” Not only are the refugees not “an internal matter of mankind,” not only are the forces of Bangladesh fighting to capture what they had won by voting, but the Indian Army is being supported by the overwhelming majority of the Bengalis who make up the population of East Pakistan.

 President Yahya Khan took a number of measures which he hoped would be designed to lure the Bengalis back into supporting, if they ever really did, the cause of a united Pakistan. But at each step of the way he was violently opposed by the Bengalis. He appointed several East Pakistanis to the regional assembly and to the national assembly. Many of these people, most of whom were resoundingly defeated by Awami League candidates in the general election, were promptly assassinated by the Mukti Bahini. In spite of some assurances of trying to deal with the real leaders of the Awami League, the only legitimate spokesman for Bangladesh, the real leader, Sheikh Mujib still languishes in prison on trial for high crimes against the State of Pakistan. Appeals from all over the world to release Sheikh Mujib have gone unheeded by President Yahya. Yet we are told that India is the aggressor.

One Overlooked Point

 Mr. Speaker, I do not want to discuss in any length today American responsibility for the tragedy in Bangladesh. The record is not a creditable one, but is especially lacking when compared to the restraint, compassion, patience, and statesmanship of the Government of India. There is enough blame to go around to all the nations of the world. And some of this blame surely should find its way to the People's Republic of China.

 U. S. aid to the Government of Pakistan is but a fraction of that received from the People's Republic, particularly arms, and this aid is being used in an attempt to crush the Bengalis. And what is the struggle for Bangladesh, which began immediately after the Pakistani Army's sweep of March 25. It is “a war of national liberation,” Mr. Speaker, and the major source of support for those trying to crush it comes from the People's Republic of China.

Conclusion

 Let me conclude by reviewing the points I have made.

 First. The crisis began when President Yahya ordered his troops to overturn the results of a free and fair election, by an attempt to literally exterminate the winners and their supporters.

 Second. Ten million refugees fled to India and the only way she could have stopped the flow would be by a slaughter at the border equal to the slaughter inside East Pakistan.

 Third. The security and stability of India itself was threatened by the civilian aggression” and by her massive and continuing humanitarian efforts to care for the