বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
Washington, D. C. April 1, 1971.
Secretary of State,
Department of State,
Washington, D. C.
DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I am alarmed as I am sure you must be about reports of mass executions and indiscriminate slaughter of civilians in East Pakistan.
The New York Times March 31 cites “unimpeachable independent sources" in New Delhi who claim that Pakistani soldiers have been dragging political leaders in East Pakistan into the streets where they are summarily shot. There are reports, unconfirmed that execution squads led by informers are systematically tracking down and killing East Pakistani intellectual leaders so that the people of that region will forever remain without a voice.
Because of the Pakistani Government's policy of excluding foreign newsmen from East Pakistan, it is impossible for Members of Congress and the world at large to know with certainty what is happening. But it would seem that if the Pakistani authorities had a better story to tell the world, they would admit foreign journalists who could tell it.
Until it is clear from public accounts that reports of summary executions and indiscriminate warfare against civilians in East Pakistan are in accurate, I wish to urge that our Government immediately end all military and economic assistance to Pakistan. I do not believe we should allow it to be said that American funds and arms contributed to the destruction of a generation of East Pakistani leaders.
Because of the world's reaction to our involvement in Vietnam, it is not practicable in my opinion for the United States to take the moral lead in condemning Pakistani actions in world forums like the United Nations. But I do believe that we should encourage others to speak out, particularly Asian countries, and agree to support them.
I would appreciate at the earliest opportunity your assessment of the United States policy towards Pakistan in light of current events there.
FRED R. II RRIS,
U. S. Senate.
