পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৯৫২

924 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড famine has been averted, but large relief requirements remain in both countries. The President, therefore, has requested the Congress to appropriate an additional $250 million, to which would be added further food shipments if necessary. The United States Government, which values its close relations with both India and Pakistan, has made a vigorous effort to avert war which would increase human suffering and delay return of refugees to their homes. We have called on both India and Pakistan to avoid actions which would increase military tensions. Specifically, the United States Government has proposed that both sides withdraw their military forces from their borders. Pakistan accepted this proposal. Regrettably, India did not. The United States has repeatedly made clear its view that increasing military tensions prevent progress towards resolution of the political problems that caused the refugees to leave their homes and provided the stimulus for guerrilla war. The United States Government has sought to facilitate negotiations leading to a political settlement of the East Pakistan Problem. The United States pointed out to the Indian Government that an increase of military tensions could only stand in the way of necessary progress towards a peaceful political settlement and the return of refugees. We recognize that a fundamental political accommodation still has not been achieved in East Pakistan. While we continue to feel that the only proper solution is a political one, we do not find justification for the repeated violation of frontiers that has taken place in East Pakistan. The immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of forces are essential conditions for progress towards a political solution in East Pakistan. This body cannot accept recourse to force to solve this problem. Indian officials have now announced that regular Indian forces have been instructed for move into East Pakistan in what the Indian Defense Secretary is quoted in the press as calling a "no holds barred" operation. The very purpose which draws us together here-building a peaceful world-will be thwarted if a situation is accepted in which a government intervenes across its borders in the affairs of another with military force in violation of the United Nations Charter. We ask this world body to join us, now, in calling upon the Governments of India and Pakistan to terminate their military confrontation by agreeing to an immediate cease-fire and to the immediate withdrawal of forces from foreign territories. Surely this Council, in this troubled situation, can ask no less. The Secretary-General has endeavored on several occasions to impress upon all of us the gravity of the situation in South Asia. He has offered his personal good offices to assist in a solution of these problems. Regrettably, the Government of India has not welcomed his initiatives. Most recently, on 20th October, he, warned, in letters to Prime Minister Gandhi and President Yahya, that "this situation could all too easily be disastrous to the two countries principally concerned, but might also constitute a major threat to the wider peace". While both Governments have professed a continuing