বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড)/৩৪
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| বাংলাদেশের গণহত্যা প্রশ্নে দুইজন আইরিশ এমপি'র বিবৃতি | দি ষ্টেটসম্যান | ১৫ জুলাই, ১৯৭১ |
GENOCIDE IN BANGLADESH.
SAYS IRISH M. P.
By a Staff Reporter
Sir Anthony Esmonde and Mr. William Loughnane, Irish M.P.s, said a Press conference in Calcutta on Wednesday that the influx of seven million refugees from Bangladesh was a “disastrous invasion on India's economy". Dr Loughnane said he was convinced from his talks with refugees that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman still continued to have a big influence and a call from him would undoubtedly take the millions of refugees back to Bangladesh.
The two Irish M.P.s said the situation was extremely difficult for India and would get worse unless an early political solution was found Dr Loughnane said any “future by-election in East Bengal without the participation of voters who are now refugees in India" would be entirely unacceptable to democratic opinion. On the other hand “one could not brush aside the representatives already elected by the people of Bangladesh". Dr. Loughnane said answering a question.
Dr. Loughnane' an M.P. of the ruling Fianna Fail, said there had been genocide in Bangladesh. Sir Anthony, an M.P. of the Opposition Fine Cael was not sure if genocide was an issue that could be brought within the purview of International Law.
The two M.P.s who visited earlier on Wednesday the Sahara Camp and that in the Salt Lake area, were not in a position to offer any concrete suggestions on the. political solution to the Bangladesh issue. As a first step they advocated bilateral talks between the political leaders of West Pakistan, including Mr. Bhutto and the political leaders of East Bengal.
Answering a question. Sir Anthony said President Yahya Khan's recent statement had many “contradictions" Asked if there was scope for intervention in Bangladesh he said “no international body could intervene in a another country's internal matter".
The two M.P.s. said they were greatly impressed by the management of the camps in India.
Our Staff Correspondent from Dum Dum adds that two Irish M.P.s Sir Anthony Charles Esmonde and Dr William A. Loughnane-told reporters on their arrival at Calcutta Airport from Delhi on Wednesday that they would visit Pakistan and try to meet President Yahya Khan. The M.P.s said that they would possibly return to Delhi after completion of their on-the spot-study of the conditions of the refugees who had come to West Bengal from East Bengal. From there they would go to Pakistan. Ireland was eager to help reach a solution concerning India and Pakistan, the M.Ps. said.
Replying to a reporter's question, the M.Ps. said that from their discussions with the Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi it appeared that the arrival of a large number of evacuees from East Bengal was a big problem for India. They said that they would try to raise a proposal for mediation during their expected meeting with the Pakistani President. During their three day stay in Calcutta, the M.Ps. arc scheduled to visit reception camps set up for the evacuees from Bangladesh in different parts of 24Parganas and Nadia.