পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৭৪১

713 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড concerted move made by some to prevent the adoption of any resolution at all. In the end, New Zealand and the other co-sponsors reluctantly accepted a number of modifications proposed during the debate. These had the effect of making the resolution less specific in its terms and its application. In that more genera form its acceptance became possible. The Third Committee has provided the only setting for a full discussion within the current General Assembly of the refugee problem. Out of a deep concern for the refugee themselves, the New Zealand delegation asked at the outset for adequate time to discuss their plight. We called for reports by the High Commissioner for Refugees and by the Secretary-General. And we sought to ensure that the Third Committee's response to the very disturbing reports they presented to the Committee should provide a useful basis for subsequent action by the Secretary General and the Security Council. In view of the latest serious deterioration in the situation, the action taken by the Third Committee, and the part our representatives played in company with the Dutch, was both timely and well-conceived to indicate once more the urgent need for a reduction of tensions and the beginning of consultations by the Pakistan authorities towards a realistic political settlement within East Pakistan. The initiative has at very least had the virtue of bringing the membership of the United Nations at large, for the first time, to acknowledge that it has responsibilities towards this vast human tragedy. EXCERPTS FROM POLICY STATEMENT MADE BY MR. WILLI STOPH, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE GDR, BEFORE THE PEOPLE'S CHAMBER— NOVEMBER 29, 1971 The Government of the GDR will continue to devote great attention to developing and deepening friendly relations with the anti-imperialist countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The joint tasks and joint responsibility in the anti-imperialist struggle form the basis on which the collaboration of the GDR with these countries will develop further. Conscious of this joint responsibility, the Government of the German Democratic Republic is following with great attention and concern the threatening situation which has arisen in East Pakistan and on the Indian sub-continent. A further aggravation of the situation would be useful only to the forces of imperialism and neo-colonialism which want to hold up the consolidation of national independence and the social progress of the peoples. The Government of the GDR holds that a peaceful political settlement of the problems which have arisen in East Pakistan should be brought about in agreement with the will of the people of East Pakistan and their elected representative to ensure the speedy and safe return of the refugees to their homeland and to prevent military conflicts between Pakistan and India. The Government of the GDR will continue to support the initiatives of all responsible forces directed at maintaining peace on the Indian sub-continent...,