16 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড We have been in constant touch with the President of Pakistan about the need for a political settlement. That is the only way, in the end, to solve the problem. But this must be for the President and the people of Pakistan. Mr. Healey: Would the Foreign Secretary answer the specific question that I asked? Has he any information about the refusal by the authorities in East Pakistan to allow distribution of medical supplies and other assistance already available? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: One consignment from the Red Cross was refused entry by the Government of Pakistan. The difficulty, so we understand, of distributing the food which is at present there in sufficient quantities is one of communications, and the distribution, according to our information, has to be done at present by the Pakistan Army, and this in itself present difficulties. That is why I urge that the team should go in as quickly as possible to assess the need and to see how food can be got to the people. The other problem does not arise at the moment. Mr. Woodhouse: Is my Right Hon. Friend aware that the Charity Commissioners in this country have ruled that money in the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund may not be used for relief in the present calamity? If the objection to that is purely of a technical character, would my Right Hon. Friend indicate whether it may be possible to remove 道? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: We have looked at this matter. It would be very difficult to remove it after the conditions applied. One of the areas worst affected is, in fact, the cyclone area, and if we can get the food moving, certainly the money subscribed for that purpose can be used. Mr. Thorpe: Is the Foreign Secretary aware that we welcome his recognition of the importance of the United Nations as the appropriate agency for relief? Further, is he aware that reports of appalling atrocities are still coming out from East Pakistan? Can he say whether Her Majesty's Government can take some further initiative, either through the Commonwealth Secretariat or through the United Nations for a team of observers either to establish or to disprove these disquieting allegations? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: At present, I do not think that it would be helpful to ask that observers should be admitted to Pakistan. We have no reason to believe that they would be accepted. As the Right Hon. Gentleman probably knows, six international journalists are being let in this week, so more information will come from the country. Sir F. Bennett: All other considerations apart, would the Foreign Secretary agree that the precedents show without any doubt, that however well-meaning an attempt to interfere politically in the affairs of another Government may be, the result is counterproductive for the people themselves? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: Without generalizing, in this particular case that I am dealing with private representations are certainly better than any public statements. Mr. Shore: Can the Foreign Secretary clear up this matter and say whether relief and aid personnel have free movement in East Pakistan at present? What response has he had
