পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/৮৭০

843 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খন্ড The Awami League team again argued that at least the de facto situation must be recognized. By then export earnings and revenue collections were being paid to a Bangladesh account. M. M. Ahmed found no difficulty in conceding that these powers be formalized. He also conceded to the province the right to make its own trade policy and to have its own reserve bank to determine monetary policy for the region. As an amendment, delivered to the Awami League team at their last meeting on March 23, he proposed: (1) that since it would take time for the chatters and the new reserve banks to emerge, the State Bank at Dacca assume this role for Bangla Desh; in case of conflict in regional monetary policies the State Bank of Pakistan would have powers to intervene: (2) that for financing the centre in revenue and foreign exchange existing arrangements continue; (3) that for foreign aid a joint delegation go to the consortium; it could by agreement be dominated by Bengalis and could be divided on a prearranged formula; once aid had been pledged at the consortium the provinces could negotiate individual agreements on their own. These represent the sense of his proposals. His amendments were worded loosely, and in discussing them the Awami League advisers tightened up the wording to lend them clarity; other his amendments were accepted. There was nothing to prevent formulation of a joint draft of the proclamation for transfer of power any lime from March 25 onwards. It is worth noting that in the interim phase all inter-provincial matters for the west wing were to rest with the centre, as had been provided for once the One Unit had been dissolved. This as well as other proposals were intended only for the interim phase. Once the west worked out their problems in separate sittings, the two houses would come together for a joint session to frame the constitution. The Negotiations Halted It is evident then that there was no breakdown in the negotiations, and in fact agreement on all substantive points had been reached. M.M. Ahmed claims that this was his view and that accordingly he left for Karachi on March 25. The Awami League now sees his departure as evidence that the army were at that point bent on action, since Ahmed was a key negotiator who should at least have stayed to see the response to his own proposals. In fact the sessions of March 23 were the last to be held, and all calls to Peerzada for the holding of the final session went un-answered. Yahya had still not put any firm proposal of his own on the table, or even stated what his final terms were for a settlement. As always the debate took place on the Awami League draft of the interim constitution, and they were as before left with their cards exposed while the world remained ignorant of the real intentions of the President and his junta.