openly the atrocities, the brutalities and inhuman massacre that are being exercised by the West Pakistani troops in Bangladesh in the name of Islam.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a peace conference and we are to struggle for peace. Is not this war by the West Pakistani troops upon the 75 million people of Bangladesh impeding peace? This War of West Pakistani troops should not be taken to be only upon the people of Bangladesh but it threatens also the peace of the whole of South Asia. We are aware that we are a poor nation. We may appear to be helpless in the face of this materialistic world. The power blocks and the international power politics may not find 75 million people worth considering. But I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, what are the objectives of international organisations like United Nations or for that matter like the organisation which has sponsored this conference today? What are the ethics of inter- national solidarity and what are the principles of international relations? Because it does not suit the purpose of big powers, or because the ping pong diplomacy may be disturbed or because it will upset a so-called balance of power in the eye of Pentagon or Moscow or Peking, the 75 million people of Bangladesh are to suffer today. May 1 ask you, ladies and gentlemen, that is it the solidarity between the peace-loving nations, is it the morality of the freedom fighting socialist world, it is the philosophy of equality and justice that the 75 million struggling, suffering freedom-fighting people of Bangladesh have to be abandoned and left uncared and unnoticed.
We are fighting a winning war because we are fighting out of a conviction which is clear and straightforward. We know our ultimate goal and. if necessary, we shall continue to fight for thousand years till the victory is achieved. This war is not only a war for geographical liberation but this will be a war for the political and economic liberation of the 75 million people of Bangladesh.
Ladies and gentlemen, while I have come here with a message of peace, greetings and solidarity from the Government and people of Bangladesh and while I convey the deepest felicitations to all, and particularly to the people and the government of Hungary, the host country of this conference. I have also an appeal to make. The appeal is simple. Give us formal recognition. Give us our honor and dignity that we most certainly deserve. Give us our formal status as a nation.
