পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৯০৪

876 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড in East Pakistan to co-ordinate the Administration efforts with those of the United Nations and its Agencies. The Government of Pakistan accepted within twenty-four hours the SecretaryGeneral's proposal of 19th July for the stationing of representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on both sides of the border to facilitate the repatriation of refugees. It should be noted that India peremptorily rejected this proposal. The Government of Pakistan has also agreed that a number of United Nations personnel should be posted in East Pakistan to assist the Administration in relief and rehabilitation operations. We have undertaken all these measures for the speedy repatriation of our citizens who are now in India, and it is worth mentioning that to the extent that these measures have become known to the refugees, the refugees are beginning to return to their homes. At the last count, approximately 200,000 had returned. The repatriation of all the refugees would be more speedily accomplished if the necessary co-operation were forthcoming from India. The Government of Pakistan has invited the competent authorities of the Government of India to a conference where measures could be devised to fulfil this purpose. The President of Pakistan has expressed his willingness to meet the Indian Prime Minister at any time and at any place to discuss the question. However, India has so far refused to co-operate, not only with Pakistan, but also with all impartial efforts, to bring about the return of the refugees. As I have said, India has refused the Secretary-General's proposal to station representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on both sides of the border, at has not agreed to Pakistan's suggestion that a good-offices committee of the Security Council should be sent to help in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. It has refused permission to the members of an Islamic Secretariat delegation to tour refugee camps in West Bengal and has refused to meet at the conference table with the representatives of my Government. It is paradoxical that while Indian Representatives come before this forum to gain the sympathy of Members for the plight of the refugees. India is unwilling to accept any constructive proposal, which would enlist the help of this Organization in ending the suffering of these innocent human beings. Why is it that the Government of India found it impossible to accept the presence of United Nations observers on its side of the border, when Pakistan, which has been accused freely of perpetrating all kinds of horrors against its people, did not hesitate to permit the stationing of United Nations observers on its side of the border? The reason for India's withholding of co-operation is obvious. India wishes to conceal from world opinion the fact that by its actions it has converted that part of the world into an area of armed conflict. Under the pretext of humanitarian assistance, India is providing arms, training, and assistance to the secessionist forces who have found sanctuary in India. I shall once again cite an Indian, source to explain the paradox. Speaking at a meeting in Delhi on 18th September, 1971, that is about a week ago, no less a person than the Defense Minister of India said that "the refugees could return to their