In the draft resolution Government were asked to offer “immediate an effective military and economic assistance to the Government of Bangladesh.”
Several delegates were of the view that it ran countries to the appeal issued by the conferences to different Governments to “stop forthwith the supply of arms, ammunition, spare parts and military facilities to the Government of Pakistan.”
Eventually, a compromise between those who were in favour on military aid to Bangladesh and those who wanted such a suggestion to be left ambiguous was arrived at. The amended text it open to the Government and people to decide for themselves whether such aid should be military or should be economic and nonviolent.
The resolution also appealed to the UN and other international organizations to channelize aid meant to relieve the sufferings in Bangladesh through the Government of Bangladesh under international supervision in order to ensure that such aid reaches those for whom it is meant.
It recommended the establishment of an international committee of friends of Bangladesh to diseminate information based on authoritative sources to the people’s government and non-government agencies with a view to fostering public support for the liberation movement.
The conference expressed its appreciation of the “commendable work done by the Government of India in giving relief to refugees from Bangladesh”. It urged the International Red Cross Society to assume direct responsibility for the organization and distribution of relief supplies in Bangladesh.
“In no circumstances”, said the resolution “should this be entrusted to the Pakistani martial Law authorities. The participation of the Government of Bangladesh is essential and constant with the terms of Article III of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1919”.
Spelling out the actions that individuals and non-Government bodies could take the conference said a freedom march should be inaugurated with participants from different countries crossing non-violently from India into Bangladesh.
