বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড)/৫১
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| জাতিসংঘ দিবসে পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রীর বক্তৃতা | ভারত সরকারের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয় | ২৪ অক্টোবর, ১৯৭১ |
FOREIGN MINSTER SARDAR SWARAN SINGH'S SPEECH AT A U.N.
DAY FUNCTION IN NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 24, 1971
Following is a report on the speech:
Mr. Swaran Singh said it was essential that a political solution acceptable to the already elected representatives of the people of East Bengal is brought about to enable the refugees to go back to their homes and hearths.
“The international community must realise the urgency and gravity of the problem and the human suffering involved, and discharge a great responsibility devolved on it by acting in a concerted manner”, he said.
Mr. Swaran Singh said Pakistan had been unsuccessfully trying to divert the attention of the world by aggressive posturing and build-up of forces and tensions along Indian's borders to cover up its own responsibility for the tragic happenings in East Bengal.
“However the basic issuc in East Bengal, as well all know, is a political one”, the Minister pointed out.
India, he said, was looking after the Bangladesh refugees as a trust, on behalf of the international community, till safety and peace were restored in East Bengal, so that they could go back to their own homeland with honour, in freedom and security.
The External Affairs Minister regretted that while the conscience of mankind as a whole had revolted against the genocide and repression by the Pakistani military regime in East Bengal, “the wheels of Government” had moved but slowly.
Mr. Swaran Singh observed that only a solution which was acceptable to the elected representatives of the people of East Bengal would create the conditions essential for the return of the refugees.
He accused Pakistan of having massed its troops across the Indian border's and indulging in provocative acts in order to cover up its ignominious record in East Bengal.
Mr. Swaran Singh, who covered a wide range of issues relating to foreign Policy also pleaded for universality of U.N. membership so that many countries, and outside its fold, could become part of the world fraternity.
Mr. Swaran Singh said the achievements of the U.N. in the social and economic fields had indeed been remarkable. But he could not say the same about the political sphere.
While not minimizing the contribution made by the U.N. in staving off major conflagrations, the External Affairs Minister pointed out that many major problems still awaited solution. He referred to the deliberate and persistent refusal of the minority governments in many African countries to allow the voice of the majority to prevail.