support of The United States' “normal” diplomatic practices and infusions of economic and military assistance (via CENTO), the military regime of West Pakistan using the power of the gun and famine may indeed succeed in disposing of nearly 10 to 15 million Bengalis and by this stirring communal rioting and finally stimulating India as a last resort to enter a bloody and destructive war. This scene seems abnormal enough to dictate use of more than the usual diplomatic maroeuvres. I believe that if the Department of State and the Executive Branch are not able to meet the evolving situation in the Ganges River Delta with less than armaments for West Pakistan and more than hopes and wishes for East Pakistan that Congress will have to take the initiative and legislate specific measures in the area of our relationships with these countries. If this is necessary, the results may not be as timely or well turned as might be achieved with decisive action from your Department.
I have already commented in detail on some points raised by the statements of the Department of Stale in a prior communication to Senator J. Glenn Beall, Jr., from Mr. David M. Abshire which covers most of the topics in the material enclosed with your letter. I enclose this correspondence and you will recognize why the communications from the Department of State and the Embassy I of Pakistan have been seen in such a poor light beside the copious firsthand accounts which have appeared in the Congressional Record and the press. I sincerely hope that further communications with Congress would take the form of transmitting more of the excellent factual information in your possession with some evidence of a candid “hardheaded” analysis of the options.
Finally, I would utter a question which I recognize seems entirely to lack any force in determining our national policies yet perhaps viewed over the stretch of the last twenty or more years of our foreign policy has been an important cause of repeated debacles, such as Vietnam-why must we, a democratic country founded on the principles of individual rights and liberties, always back the force in other countries which are military, dictatorial and in the current case of Pakistan are carrying on policies totally antithetical to any of our own espoused-if not practiced beliefs? Must we give tacit assent to genocide by famine and the sword of an innocent people? You and your superiors known this is indeed the current law of the land in East Pakistan? What is the nature of the myopia that prevents the many talented embers of the Executive Branch of our Government from seeing our best interests over a longer sweep of history than the chaotic days we immediately must face?
I believe there is a growing forum which may dictate a change in our policies. I see this in taking with the elected representatives of our great nation. This forces me and others who know Bengal to speak out and, I hope in some small way, catalyze this badly needed change in course which is so clearly highlighted as the strife in East Pakistan pursues an apparently inexorable course toward greater tragedy.
