পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৬৩৬

এই পাতাটির মুদ্রণ সংশোধন করা হয়েছে, কিন্তু বৈধকরণ করা হয়নি।
বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খণ্ড
৬১০

করবে যে, এসব অস্ত্র সেখানে পৌছাতে দেয়া যাবে না, নাকি বলা হবে যে ওটা ঐরময ংবধং তাদের নিজেদের, ওহঃবৎহধঃরড়হধষ ধিঃবৎ.

 SARDAR SWARAN SINGH: Sir, so far as information about the supply of arms, their quantum and nature, by the United States to Pakistan in concerned, besides the information to which I have made a reference in my statement, we have information from other sources also. That is why I have said in statement that the figure that is given by Senator Church appears to be nearer the correct figure. This is based on our own sources of information. Then the second question that he asked is. Have the US leaders ever said as to why they are supplying arms to Pakistan? Yes, this question has been asked on several occasions since 1945 when they first started supplying arms to Pakistan. And at that time they were clinging to this argument that this arms are being supplied for -what they described as the containment of communism although we knew that this is an excuse which is totally untenable. We knew that the type of equipment supplied by the United States to Pakistan was meant against India. And from the very beginning we have seen making that position clear.

 Then hon. Member has asked as to whether they have been saying that they are supplying arms to Pakistan to win them away from China. Yes they have been using that argument also not in these terms, but somewhat indicating an attitude to that effect because the words that the Hon. Member has used are not quite correct. But there is one over-riding argument that they always use that they are supplying arms in their own international interest that is in the national interest of the United States of America. This again is an argument which is difficult to understand. But in international affairs even if any party wants to put forth an argument, they have the right to do so. You may accept it or you may not accept it.

 Then the third question asked is: Have we told them that giving arms to Pakistan by the United States amounts to helping Pakistan in their aggressive actions and aggressive attitudes against India? Yes, we are done so, not only now, but even on earlier occasions.

 DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: This is not there in your statement.

 SARDAR SWARAN SINGH: Now you are asking the question, I am saying that. I have also said that on several earlier occasions.

 Then the fourth question that he asked is this; He agrees with my statement about the proposed or the forthcoming visit of President Nixon to Peking and he says that there is a lesson to be learnt that we should look after our own national interests, Well, I wish the Hon. Member could learn that interests. We always know that we should act in a manner which is in our own national interest and we do not require a sermon from him, we know what our national interests are.

 DR. BHAIMAHAVIR: Results belie your claims.

 SARDAR SWARAN SINGH: And also he has said that this means that India should be strong. Yes, India should be strong I am not sure whether the Party to which the Hon.