India alone. Consistent with the financial support we have traditionally given to United Nations aid and relief activities in the past, as well as with the level of support we are currently giving as a member of the international consortium for aid to that part of the world, the United States must be prepared to contribute at least 30 to 40% of the relief effort for East Bengal. If a billion dollars is needed through the United Nations, then America must have the courage not only to demand that the U. N. meet the need, but also to provide the $300 to $400 million that will be required as the American contribution to the effort. When Congress returns in September, I intend to offer appropriate legislation to achieve this goal.
Second, we must do an about-face in our relations with the nations in the area. Most important, our government must stop preaching “restraint” to India and start showing “restraint” ourselves toward Pakistan. We must end immediately all further U. S. arms shipments to West Pakistan. We must end all other economic support of a regime that continues to violate the most basic principles of humanity. We must demonstrate to the generals of West Pakistan and to the peoples of the world that the United states has a deep and abiding revulsion of the monumental slaughter that has ravaged East Bengal.
My experience in the field last week has strengthened these views immensely. No American who has seen the faces of children too weak to cry, too tired to live, too shocked to care, could settle for less. No American would recommend less against a government that tries a political leader in secret........... and, as many fear, may put him to death... for the crime of winning a free election.
No American would support a regime that is alien to the principles for which so many of his fellow citizens have given their lives in virtually every corner of the world.
I do not, at this time, suggest a break in our diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Let us continue to talk urgently. Let us express our candid views. Let President Nixon make personal representations to President Yahya Khan about every aspect of the crisis. To the beleaguered Government of India let us reaffirm our faith in the ability of men of good will everywhere to work together to end the crisis.
Third, I believe that the United States should work strongly within the framework of the South East Asia Treaty Organization to bring as much pressure as possible to bear on the Government of West Pakistan to modify its cruel policy of repression toward East Bengal. If no alleviation of these policies is immediately forthcoming, the United States should lead the other SEATO nations in seeking to terminate the participation of Pakistan in the organization.
Similarly, we should re-examine every other bilateral and multilateral relationship we have with Pakistan. No forum of this nation, no forum of the world community, should hesitate to focus the bright light of informed opinion on the nightmare of terror and inhumanity now being perpetrated in South Asia.
As Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Refugees, I plan to file a formal report on the findings of my recent field investigation. Our Subcommittee will conduct further hearings at the end of September. These hearings will be an effort to document what our
