পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২৬৩

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড

 শিরোনাম  সূত্র   তারিখ
পররাষ্ট্র দপ্তর কর্মকর্তা কর্তৃক সিনেটর বার্চ বে’র পত্রের জবাব সিনেটের কার্যবিবরণী ২৭ অক্টোবর, ১৯৭১



S 16924 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
OCTOBER 27, 1971

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, D.C., August 26, 1971.

Hon. Birch Bayh,

U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.


 Dear Senator Bayh: The Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of August 12 concerning United States policy in the current crisis in East Pakistan.

 Your letter touches on numerous aspects of the crisis. The questions you raise are difficult ones reflecting the exceedingly complex and serious policy issues that are involved. I think you will agree that the answers are also difficult, for all of us, as this Government seeks to pursue policies that will preserve both our own interests and help make a contribution toward relieving the great humanitarian aspects of the crisis.

 Our approach to this difficult situation from the outset has been essentially threefold. First, to alleviate the suffering of the millions of people caught up in this great human tragedy, we have been in the forefront of humanitarian relief efforts, on both sides of the border. We intend to continue that role. Secondly, because of the obvious dangers of conflict between India and Pakistan which would so drastically worsen this crisis, we have counseled restraint with both countries. We are continuing to do so. Thirdly, recognizing the essential need to focus on the root cause of the problem, we have urged the Government of Pakistan to move as quickly as it can with steps that will begin the urgent talk of a peaceful political accommodation. To the extent we can meaningfully contribute to this process, we will continue this effort.

 We believe that this policy is the right one under the circumstances. We intend to persevere in the various efforts that make up this policy, conscious in doing so of both the limitations on what any outside power can do to influence the actions of sovereign powers in such a crisis and of the compulsions that rest on the entire world community to be responsive in a tragedy of such proportions and potential.

 Let me now respond to your questions about the various elements that go into our policy.

 There has been a widespread and erroneous belief that the United States has been a major supplier of arms to Pakistan since the critical days of March 1971. In fact, we have provided no lethal end-items of military equipment since our grant military program in