পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (সপ্তম খণ্ড).pdf/৯৬

62 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ ২৭। পাকিস্তানী রাষ্ট্রদূত কর্তৃক পাকিস্তান দূতাবাসের দলিলপত্র ১২ মে, ১৯৭১ কংগ্রেসমেন গ্যালেঘারকে লিখিত চিঠি EMABSSY OF PAKISTAN Washington, D.C. 20008 May 12, 1971 Dear Mr. Gallagher: I have seen your statement expressing concern about the danger of famine in East Pakistan which may involve death through starvation of ten to thirty million people. I appreciate your humanitarian concern in the welfare of the people of my country and I would like to assure you that the fears of a possible famine involving loss of millions of human lives are not well founded. Unfortunately, all kinds of false rumours are being spread by forces hostile to Pakistan. It is therefore necessary to clarity the position. The armed forces of Pakistan after completing their first task of restoring law and order and now engaged in relief and rehabilitation work. The Government of Pakistan is fully conscious of its responsibility to ensure that adequate food supplies are available on a regular basis for the people of East Pakistan. A comprehensive survey of the food stocks and the distribution needs in East Pakistan has therefore been prepared. A similar comprehensive survey was also completed by the U. S. AID officials in East Pakistan on April 26, 1971. it has been clearly recognized that there is no shortage of food. However, there are genuine difficulties in distribution which the government is tackling on the basis of top priority. At the end of March there were 686,000 tons of food grains in store in East Pakistan which is about the highest level we have had in recent years. In addition, there are 800,000 tons of food grains in the pipeline, out of which 300,000 tons of surplus rice are available in West Pakistan which can reach East Pakistan in seven days time. The stocks already located in East Pakistan are sufficient to meet requirements for at least the next three months. There is also sufficient food in the pipeline and the government is already taking steps to plan the food requirements for the subsequent months. The main ports of East Pakistan are Chittagong and Chalna. The port installations there have suffered no serious damage and have already stared functioning. The labor force which had run away to the countryside during the March civil disobedience movement and subsequent disturbed conditions is gradually returning. About fifty percent of the workers are already back and we hope that the ports would resume hundred percent normal activity in the near future. It is true the railway line from Chittagong to the interior is broken as an important railway bridge has been damaged but its repair has been taken in hand and in the meanwhile goods landed n Chittagong are being sent by