বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
With respect to particular points raised in your letter, I wish to assure you that reasoned views of this sort are given serious consideration by the Department, I believe the most useful way I can respond is to explain to you the positions which we have considered appropriate to take on various aspects of this complex and difficult problem in our foreign relations, and to mention some of the steps we are taking to meet it.
We are, of course, fully cognizant of the political, military and economic difficulties and dangers inherent in this situation, to which you have referred. As a Government, however, we have to be careful to avoid interfering in the domestic concerns of others just as we would not want them to interfere in ours. The U. S. Government, as you know, maintains diplomatic relations with the Government of Pakistan which exercises de jure and de facto control over both wings of the country. We have therefore, regarded the recent developments in East Pakistan as essentially an internal affair for the Pakistanis to work out for themselves. It is our earnest hope that we can, through our policies and actions, be helpful to all concerned in alleviating human suffering and contributing to a peaceful solution in so far as possible within normal diplomatic practice. Tragic as the loss of human life and destruction has been on both sides of this conflict, I agree with you that we must now focus on what can be done to help improve the situation in the months ahead.
With respect to economic assistance, our programs are designed to accomplish specific development objectives for the benefit of the people of recipient countries. They are not to be extended, or withheld for the purpose of exerting political pressure on other Governments. We regret that many of our aid activities have had to be curtailed in East Pakistan because of conditions there, and we hope to resume them as Soon or, circumstances permit. While we are carrying on existing programs where feasible in Pakistan, we are reviewing them to insure that established development criteria are being met. To the best of our knowledge, our economic aid has not been used to support the military actions of either side in the East Pakistan civil strife.
I agree with you that the highest priority must now be given to relief efforts in East Pakistan to alleviate human distress, avert the possibility of famine and create a climate in which peaceful conditions can be restored and progress resumed toward a political settlement. I can assure you that the U. S. Government has been active in promoting such a relief program. We promptly associated ourselves with the offer of international humanitarian assistance made by the Secretary General of the United Nations last month. We have urged the Government of Pakistan to accept offers of assistance from the international community. We are encouraged that President Yahya has informed Secretary General U Thant that he would welcome assistance from the international community and is currently assessing the needs in East Pakistan. We are following this matter closely, and on a contingency basis are inventorying resources which we might provide for such an international relief effort.
According to the best available information, food stocks in East Pakistan are adequate to meet expected needs for several months and additional supplies can be shipped as soon as port and inland distribution facilities permit. We are preparing with other interested countries to do what we can to help resolve the port and distribution problems so that food can be brought to the people who need it.
