বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
situation, its participation in the humanitarian relief efforts both in East Pakistan and in India could be helpful in promoting peace and conciliation in the area.
We also recognize the imperative need to them the flight of refugees into India and facilitate the return of those who have already fled from East Pakistan. We have discussed these issues as well with the Government of Pakistan and have been encouraged to note that it has publicly welcomed the return of the refugees has offered an amnesty, and is setting up reception centers along the border for the returnees. We are also pleased to note that, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is visiting both Pakistan and India and that there are reports that first groups of refugees are returning to East Pakistan.
In the meantime we are giving high priority to emergency relief efforts in East Pakistan which you cite as your second suggestion. We agree that such a program is a necessary prelude for normalization of general economic assistance. Pakistan has sought assistance, as you state, in the form of food grains and water transport. Pending the launching of a coordinated international relief program under United Nations auspices, we have taken direct action relevant to these requirements as described in the enclosure. No request has yet been received from the Pakistan Government for medical supplies.
Thirdly you refer to diplomatic action to ameliorate the escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India. We have made and continue to make appropriate diplomatic representations to both the Governments, Urging them to exercise restraint towards each other in the present tense atmosphere,
Finally, with regard to the refugee relief problem in India, we have been responding promptly to meet the needs as they develop. There have been no delays in, our efforts which have been initiated within the framework of international assistance effort but on a preliminary basis while the effort was being formally organized. In the interim, we released Title II food stocks to various voluntary agencies operating in India for refugee feeding in mid-April. We have since extended our assistance to provide enough food to feed 1,250,000 refugees daily. Similarly, we have sent four C130 aircraft to airlift refugees from Tripura to Assam and to bring relief supplies from Assam to Tripura in response to an Indian request which came to us through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The plains carried 1,000,000 doses of U. S. produced cholera vaccine to help combat the epidemic that has broken out among the refugees. In recognition of the continuing emergency. We have now authorized a further allocation for food and cash aid of $15 million bringing our total assistance to $17.5 million.
As you know, $500,000 of the $2.5 million initially allocated by the U. S. Government for refugee relief in India was allocated to the UNHCR immediately after the UN Secretary General's appeal was made. We will continue to assist the High Commissioner in funding some of his organization's activities and expenses but we will also continue to extend relief directly through U. S. voluntary agencies within the framework of the international program.
