বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড)/৭১
যুক্তরাষ্ট্র
কংগ্রেসের দলিলপত্র
সিনেট ও প্রতিনিধি পরিষদ
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে শোকাবহ ঘটনা ঘটছেঃ সিনেটর হ্যারিস-এর মন্তব্য ও পররাষ্ট্রসচিব উইলিয়াম, রজার্স-এর লিখিত চিঠি | সিনেটের কার্যবিবরণী | ১লা এপ্রিল, ১৯৭২ |
APPALLING TRAGEDY IN EAST PAKISTAN
Mr. HARRIS. Mr. President, an appalling tragedy is taking place in East Pakistan about which the world remains ignorant because West Pakistani authorities have cynically expelled foreign journalists. It would appear that only in this way may their soldiers kill in peace.
The New York Times, March 31, cites “unimpeachable independent sources" in New Delhi who claim that the Pakistani soldiers have been dragging political leaders in East Pakistan into the streets where they are summarily shot. There are reports, unconfirmed that execution squads led by informers are now systematically tracking down and killing East Pakistani intellectual leaders so that the people of that region will forever remain without a voice.
These outrages reportedly are being committed in the name “of God and a united Pakistan."
Some reports may be sensationalized accounts of isolated crimes. Because of the Pakistani Government's policy of excluding the press, we do not know. But the unwillingness of the Pakistani authorities to admit foreign newsmen must cause us to conclude that at least some of the reports are true.
The world must end its silence. At this point only the Indian Government has gone on record in condemnation of current events in Pakistan. But Indian protests can only be marginal in effectiveness and subject to misinterpretation in purpose because of the long hatred between the two countries. It is sad to report that because of the vast human destruction brought about by our involvement in Vietnam, the United States is also not in a position to take a moral lead.
We do not however, have to remain inactive. We should pointedly announce that we are halting all military and economic aid to Pakistan for the time being. Meanwhile, we can urge others, particularly countries in Asia, to take the moral lead in such forums as the United Nations.
I urge other Senators to join me in asking the administration to give the situation in Pakistan the highest priority. We cannot sit with our hands folded as a generation of leaders in East Pakistan may be on the way to final destruction...........COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
Washington, D. C. April 1, 1971.
Secretary of State,
Department of State,
Washington, D. C.
DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I am alarmed as I am sure you must be about reports of mass executions and indiscriminate slaughter of civilians in East Pakistan.
The New York Times March 31 cites “unimpeachable independent sources" in New Delhi who claim that Pakistani soldiers have been dragging political leaders in East Pakistan into the streets where they are summarily shot. There are reports, unconfirmed that execution squads led by informers are systematically tracking down and killing East Pakistani intellectual leaders so that the people of that region will forever remain without a voice.
Because of the Pakistani Government's policy of excluding foreign newsmen from East Pakistan, it is impossible for Members of Congress and the world at large to know with certainty what is happening. But it would seem that if the Pakistani authorities had a better story to tell the world, they would admit foreign journalists who could tell it.
Until it is clear from public accounts that reports of summary executions and indiscriminate warfare against civilians in East Pakistan are in accurate, I wish to urge that our Government immediately end all military and economic assistance to Pakistan. I do not believe we should allow it to be said that American funds and arms contributed to the destruction of a generation of East Pakistani leaders.
Because of the world's reaction to our involvement in Vietnam, it is not practicable in my opinion for the United States to take the moral lead in condemning Pakistani actions in world forums like the United Nations. But I do believe that we should encourage others to speak out, particularly Asian countries, and agree to support them.
I would appreciate at the earliest opportunity your assessment of the United States policy towards Pakistan in light of current events there.
FRED R. II RRIS,
U. S. Senate.