পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ষষ্ঠ খণ্ড).pdf/৭২৭

691 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ষষ্ঠ খণ্ড শিরোনাম সংবাদপত্র তারিখ News on Activities Bangladesh Newsletter 10 December, 1971 For Bangladesh Movement Chicago : No. 14 BANGLADESH CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON A national conference, under the title "Consultation on the American Response to events in East Pakistan" was held's in Washington D.C. from November 10-18. The conference organized primarily by the representatives of church groups (including the National council of Churches, the Friends and the Unitarian Universalist Association) attracted about 100 interested public figures from many parts of the US and Canada. The lead speech was given by Senator Kennedy. In his brief address Kennedy criticized the US policy and decried the terror which has resulted in the daily deaths of 4300 children (Kennedy's figure) in the refugee camps in India. Another important address was delivered by Prof. Edward Dimok, Director of the South Asia Language and Area Center, University of Chicago, (Copies of Prof. dimock’s scholarly address are available at the Bangladesh Information Center, 423 5"Street SE, Washington D.C. 20003). State Department Director for Pakistan and Afghanistan Bruce Laingen spoke extensively on US Policy but failed to provide any convincing defense for the administration policy. He gave strong assurances that they US embassy in West Pakistan has convincing reasons to believe that Mujib remains alive. Mr. Mujahid Hussain, First Secretary of the Embassy of Pakistan, was scheduled to speak at the conference but after arriving in the hall he abruptly walked out after noticing the name of Mr. S.A. M.S. Kibria of the Bangladesh Mission on the program. (Pakistan Embassy later issued a condemnation of the conference.) Mr. Enayet Karim addressed the conference on behalf of Bangladesh, following an address by Mr. Maharajakrishna Rasgotra, Minister for Political Affairs, Embassy of India. Rep. Peter Frelinghuysen, who recently returned from a tour of the refugee camps in India and the war-stricken areas of Bangladesh, made the final presentation of the conference. The conference, which was presided over by Dr. Homer Jack, Secretary General of the World conference of Religion for peace, was co-sponsored by Harry Apple white, Director for International Relations, Council for Christian Social Action, United Church of Christ; Robert Jones, Executive Director, Washington Office, Unitarian Universalist Association; Dr. Allan Parrent, Department of International Affairs, National Council of churches; Edward Snyder, Friends Committee on National Legislation.