পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২৪৮

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড

such as cholera or smallpox. The flow of additional refugees may continue high, however, at least until the beginning of the monsoon in a few weeks, when both military operations and travel will become more difficult. For this reason, we have urged both the UNHCR and the Government of India to mount the international relief effort as quickly as possible. The World Food Program has responded by authorizing release to the Government of India for refugee feeding all their stocks in, India of non-fat dry milk and edible oil. With respect to wheat and rice, the Government has said that their stocks arc adequate and will be made available for the refugees, with the expectation that the supply will be replenished through the World Food Program.

Relief in East Pakistan

 We continue to be seriously concerned about the situation arising from the civil disturbances and general disruption of life in East Pakistan. As you are aware, we have expressed this concern publicity on a number of occasions and privately to the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations, the governments of other interested countries, and American and international relief organizations. We have discussed humanitarian relief efforts with them all and have undertaken appropriate contingency planning.

 In taking these initiatives and preparing contingency programs, we recognize that the problem is basically that of the Governments and people immediately concerned. Unless their resources are mobilized, those of the international community alone cannot meet the need.

To recapitulate what we have done to date, we have:


 associated the U.S. Government with UN Secretary General U Thant's April 1 offer of international humanitarian relief for East Pakistan if requested by the Government of Pakistan.

 expressed hope that the Government of Pakistan will avail itself of offers of assistance from the international community,

 reviewed the food grain situation and future needs in East Pakistan and confirmed the assessment by the Pakistani authorities that the main short-term problem is improved internal distribution: alleviating port congestion; reestablishing inland transportation; and reviving public works projects to increase purchasing power.

 conferred with the Pakistan central and provincial governments on how to overcome these distribution problems and how the U.S. Government, in concert with others, might be helpful.

 indicated that we are ready to move, as soon as the local situation permits, to resume rehabilitation projects in the cyclone disaster area along the East Pakistan coast, where there is an especially urgent need for food supplies. We can draw on the $7.5 million in dollars and over $ 100 million in US-owned Pakistani currency made available by Congress for rehabilitation projects. We can also move forward an agreement to provide 150,000 tons of foodgrains for rehabilitation purposes in the cyclone disaster area.