পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৬১০

○ br8 বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড In this particular case, this was a vital bit of information which the New York Times could secure on the basis of dock register and not from any intelligence source. On the basis of dock registers, it was able to find out that on the 8th May a shipload of ammunition and arms was sent to Bangladesh. We were ignorant about this. We did not know about this Even when the hon. Foreign Minister visited Washington or New York, this fact should have been known to him. If this fact had been known to him, I am sure that the entire conversation and the entire dialogue with Washington would have centered round this shipload of arms and this could possibly have enabled him to assert our position and perhaps then the second ship might not have left New York. This is the first abysmal and dismal failure for which I would seek an explanation from the Minister as to how it happened. Have we asked for any explanation from our Ambassador? There is no use issuing certificates and chits to our Ambassador there when this is a serious failure, the enormity should be and appreciated by our Missions abroad. My second question is this: The hon. Minister has said that the U.S. authorities have been asked to intercept both the ships and to call those ships back. I would like to remind him on this occasion that during the war with Pakistan in 1965 some six ships carrying arms for India were halted on the way. They were actually on their way to India. But they were halted just 15 miles from our shore. I have before me the Hindustan Times clipping which quotes Shri. L.N. Mishra as having given this information. I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether this information is correct and whether these six ships carrying arms to India were intercepted by the U.S authorities during the Indo-Pakistani war. The U.S Government at that time gave the explanation that time gave they did not want to add to the tension of the subcontinent and therefore stopped aid both to India and Pakistan. This was the plea they gave at that time on the basis of which these six ships bound for India were halted just 15 miles from our shore and called back. I would like to know whether this fact has been recalled on this occasion and brought to the notice of the U.S authorities. Lastly, the entire House has pointed out that in the present context these two ships should be intercepted. When Shri Mohta suggested this, the hon. Minister was pleased to say that decisions like this cannot be taken off-hand and they should be taken with due consideration. I think ever since this genocide in Bangladesh has started, we have been listening to this kind of replies on every issue, namely, 'we have to take decisions after due consideration'. I agree that every decision has consequences. When we called upon the Government to recognize Bangladesh, we were conscious of the consequences of that action. When we call for interception of these ships, we are conscious of the consequences. But we think that this present Government on the plea of 'due consideration' is only providing apologies for inaction and doing nothing. What is the Government's stand on this particular issue? Are we going to do nothing about this shipment of arms? If the Government of U.S. agrees to call them back, well and well. Otherwise, are we helpless? Can we do nothing? Are we just to keep quiet and sit back? Is this the Government's stand?