In the entire world, we should also, while noting these positive factors, be careful about what could broadly be described as negative factors. Let us not forget that a fairly large number of sovereign countries, who are members of the United Nations, have in their countries regimes which are in their content and in their operation not very much different from dictatorial regime of the type that now controls the destiny of Pakistan. This has been an unfortunate experience of the postcolonial era. A large number of countries became independent and the colonial forces were on the run. As a result of this, a large number of countries became independent and free. With varying degrees, they started with democratic establishments. democratic set-ups, democratic ideologies, democratic constitutions. But is a cruel reality that democracy was unable to take root, whether democracy be of the Presidential type or the Parliamentary type, except in a comparatively smaller number of these countries and, therefore, there are whispers to this effect, that perhaps Yahya Khan committed a mistake in ordering elections. But even they are obliged to admit that having initiated the process of holding the election, he is now trying to run away from it, and this is a situation is a situation in which he cannot run away and the events are bound to overtake him. So, whereas these democratic ideals and our adherence to these, our love for these, and our natural abhorrence when they are violated, appear to be a very normal reaction to us, because we in our country have been fortunate in establishing the roots of democracy in a very solemn and in a very purposeful manner, there are other countries whose experience has not been of the same type as ours and this explains the reticence and reluctance of several other countries who should normally be on our side of the fence when a situation of this type arises.
About the general trend of discussions in the United Nations, I would like to take a positive view and also a negative view. Positive view in this respect is that those countries whose representatives have in their statements supported broadly our assessment of the situation are now hereafter likely to use their influence in a more purposeful manner in bringing about a change in the attitude of the military rulers of the Pakistan, and also I would like to say that it is also understood even amongst some of the closest friends of Pakistan who would like to be the helpers of Pakistan that the manner in which President Yahya Khan and his military Generals have tried to tackle the situation, the military method has failed and, therefore, the military method has to be abandoned and political approach has to be brought about in the interest of the Pakistan regime itself. We have some reliable information to this effect that countries that are traditionally close to Pakistan also have started counseling them that they should abandon, and that the military Generals should abandon their military ways and should try to find a political solution of this problem.
There are other critics here in our own country who have tried to pick holes in our policy. When we say that there should be a political settlement, they say in this respect have we in anyway compromised our stand in relation to Bangladesh? I would like to clarify this aspect because there is some uninformed criticism on that score. Our position is clear. We say that we will accept whatever is acceptable to those who have already been elected by the people of Bangla Desh and it is for those already elected representatives to arrive at any settlement with Pakistan Military bodies. It can be a settlement on the basis of independence or of greater autonomy-whatever is acceptable
