পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৪২৩

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395 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ ভারত ও বাংলাদেশ সফলঃ কংগ্রেস সদস্য প্রেস বিজ্ঞপ্তি ২৩ অক্টোম্বর, ১৯৭১ ফ্রিলিংঘুসেন-এর সমীক্ষা SUMMARY OF STATEMENT BY PETER H. B. FRELINGHUYSEN October 13, 1971 Observations on 12 day trip to Pakistan and India. Purpose was to have a firsthand look- at the humanitarian relief problems created- both in East Pakistan and in India-by the civil strife in East Pakistan, and to examine the political situation in the area. 1. The continuation of substantial humanitarian assistance to both India and East Pakistan is critical importance. It is crucial to the prevention of famine and the development of stable conditions in East Pakistan. Increased relief aid for refugees is also needed to relieve an intolerable economic burden on India. Flood relief for areas seriously affected by the recent monsoons will also be needed. The magnitude of the refugee problem is staggering. The Indians have kept records of incoming refugees, and are providing them with shelter and food, and I have no basis for challenging their estimates that some 9,000,000 refugees are being cared for. 2. I trust congress will act favorably on President Nixon's recent request for S250 million in emergency humanitarian relief to India and East Pakistan. However, such a large appropriation will compete with domestic needs and Congress will want assurance that other countries are contributing adequately to this emergency. So far the United States has contributed $89 million, almost half of a total of S186 million pledged or given by the international community to India for refugee relief. Relief on the scale which will probably be necessary will raise also the question of reasonable accountability for the funds contributed. Although India is at present reluctant even to consider any role for the United Nations in coordinating the relief effort and perhaps also in reducing the number of incidents along the border between India and East Pakistan. I personally still hope that a way can be found to increase the usefulness and good offices of the U. N. 3. The danger of war between India and Pakistan is real, and quite possibly increasing. By accident or by a deliberate move, armed conflict could easily begin. For that reason, utmost restraint by both countries is of extreme importance. War would be the ultimate traged, solving nothing, but inevitably inflicting still greater tragedy on an area which has already suffered enormously. 4. It is essential that some concrete progress be made and made soon-toward a political settlement. The participation of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the East Pakistan