পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৮৯৯

871 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড an internal issue when one keeps in mind that other nations are having to support the enormous cost of the massive exodus of Pakistani citizens into India. Apart from accusing others for their own most unwise and deadly activities, the rulers of Pakistan have taken u number of measures which are no more than an eyewash How- unrealistic these measures are can be judged from the impact they had on the flow of refugees. The President of Pakistan has from time to time called upon the refugees to go hack; yet, the flow continues in ever-increasing numbers into India A so-called civilian government has been formed in East Pakistan which consists of men who have no representative character whatever and who are mere figureheads, obliged to take orders from their military commanders. An amnesty is proclaimed, but Mujibur Rahman and other elected representatives are at the same lime treated and tried as traitors. We witness the strange spectacle in which the party, which would have been, by right, the Government of Pakistan, has been banned and disqualified from political activities. Half the elected representatives have been disqualified from sitting in the National Assembly. In our view, the flow of refugees will not stop, nor will the refugees already in India begin to go buck, until a political solution acceptable to the elected representatives of the people has been found. SecretaryGeneral U Thant, and many other distinguished statesmen, politicians and leaders of public opinion, have consistently maintained that the problem is essentially political As a first step towards a political solution. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Awami League, should be set at liberty without delay, and negotiations should be started with him. It has been proved beyond doubt that he alone can speak on behalf of the people of East Bengal. He, and he alone, symbolizes and represents aspiration and will of the people of East Pakistan. Apart from these actions, which the Pakistanis themselves can take, what can the international community do in these circumstances? The first and foremost action which this Assembly, and all other international organs within or without the United Nations system, can take is to impress on the military regime of Islamabad the fact that force will not succeed, and that, therefore, a political settlement between the military regime and the already elected leaders is essential We consider it wholly shortsighted to wait until worse crises have arisen. Bilaterally, all Governments can do their utmost lo ensure, by whatever means are available to them, that the military regime stops its repression, enters into negotiations with the elected leaders to achieve a political settlement with their consent, and sends the army back to the barracks Only by these measures will the flow of refugees be stopped, and refuges already in India be able to return home. Our only fault has been that we gave temporary shelter to millions of refugees-homeless, foodless, without clothing; sick and aged, men and women, helpless children and dying infants-who were ficeing from terror, many of whom bore marks of recent army brutality. Only by the measures I have suggested can the threat of famine be alleviated and normal Conditions restored. If these measures are not taken, and if attempts are made to divert attention by false analysis or wrong accusations, then the prospect is indeed gloomy. We here in this Assembly may argue in a sophisticated manner as long as we like, but those who have been the victims of aggression, and who are fleeing from terror and massacre will not have such a tolerant outlook They will not forgive us or those who did not stand by them in their hour of trial.