বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
While we have pointed out the difficulty of obtaining reliable information on the situation, it is increasingly clear that there have been substantial casualties and damage, although we still have no way of estimating the extent of the casualties and damage with any precision;
Our sympathy goes out to the victims of recent events. Normal life in East Pakistan has been seriously disrupted. We continue to believe it is important and that every feasible step be taken to end the conflict and achieve a peaceful accommodation.
We hope that it will be possible soon to alleviate the suffering caused by recent events. In this connection, we also hope the Government of Pakistan will avail itself of offers of assistance from the international community. The United States is prepared to assist in any international humanitarian efforts of this kind. We have discussed these matters with the Government of Pakistan and we will continue to do so.
"I do not believe that there has been a request for international relief assistance from the Government of Pakistan to any patty we continue to hope that the Government of Pakistan will avail itself of the offers that are and may be forthcoming."
"We expressed shortly after the newsman were expelled our deep concern that their legitimate news-gathering functions had been inhibited and that their cameras, notes, etc., had been taken from them. We asked that this personal property be returned."
April 12:
"We do not have, as some accounts have suggested, a large on-going military assistance program with Pakistan. There has been an embargo since 1965. The onetime exception announced last October is still under discussion in terms of specifications and prices.
There is no—repeat-no equipment in the pipeline and none has been delivered under that exception. Indeed, technical talks on this subject have not been held for some six weeks.
We have had a modest program of sales, predominantly cash, to Pakistan, for non-lethal military equipment, spare parts for equipment already in Pakistani hands and some ammunition.
The agreements under which this program was worked out were arrived at well before the beginning of the present crisis, and I am not aware of any new arrangements with the Pakistan Government since the crisis began. Insofar as shipments under these agreements are concerned, we have this matter under review.
In brief, the nation that we have a 'substantial military assistance program with Pakistan is erroneous."
April 13:
"The over-all food supply in East Pakistan appears to be adequate now. Obviously, one cannot be sure there are no local shortages, but as a general proposition, we feel safe in
