পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ষষ্ঠ খণ্ড).pdf/৫৭০

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534 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ষষ্ঠ খণ্ড শিরোনাম ংবাদপত্র তারিখ The World PreSS The Nation 24 September, 1971 Vol. 1 : No. 1 THE WORLD PRESS The Escapist Role of the United Nations in respect of Bangladesh problem was reflected in the curious statement of the newly elected President of the General Assembly, Dr. Adam Malik of Indonesia, who observed publicly that he was not in favor of a debate on that issue. This is. Of course his personal view, but the premature expression of the President’s personal view is likely to affect the Assembly’s deliberations. The object of the world organization is to facilitate the solution of international problems through open discussion and free exchanges of ideas. It is not a little surprising that the President of the General Assembly (which is composed of the representative of all member-nations and is thus the most representative body in the world) should declare himself opposed to the adoption of that procedure in a case affecting a people, 75 million strong, fighting for basic human rights. He does not want open discussion because, he said, “there would be no end to it and the problem could not be solved quickly”. His preference is for “work behind the scenes”. Apparently he wants to bring back the age of secret diplomacy which was condemned by the Covenant of the League of Nations. If delay is a valid argument against discussion, the entire democratic process must be condemned. Is the General Assembly going to write the epitaph on democracy? Would it be very uncharitable to assume that Dr. Malik's reluctance to have an open debate on the Bangladesh issue springs from his desire to save the Yahya regime from the danger of publicity? Its misdeeds are now fairly well known throughout the world, but formal exposure on the world platform is a slur which Islamabad is naturally anxious to escape. It is no part of Dr. Malik's duty to extend his protection to Pakistan. If other States accuse Pakistan of atrocities committed in violation of an laws-human and divine-Pakistan can defend itself, for its representatives will have full freedom to participate in the Assembly debate. When there are grave allegations the only honorable course for the accused is to attempt effective refutation. If the Yahya regime is unwilling to pursue that honorable course it should take the consequences. The function of the General Assembly is to express the voice of the world, not to stifle it. Dr. Malik is laying a dangerous precedent against democracy and fairness in international transactions. The novelty of Dr. Malik's thesis is closely connected with his concept of Pakistan's legal position in the matter, and that concept is a mere echo of what Pakistan's ardent friends have been saying since the beginning of genocide in Bangladesh. "You cannot", he said, "force Pakistan to take any step because it is their internal problem." The killing of the Jews was Hitler's internal problem too! Dr. Malik's prescription is that India and Pakistan should be "pushed" to come together "to solve this political problem". How is the act of "pushing" to be performed, and by whom? Why should Pakistan agree to be