Bengal is, actually. Resentment and hatred for the West are universal. Blowing up Dacca airport could virtually maroon the West Pakistani army in a sea of hostility.
America's present posture of neutrality and non-interference is a sham. It has tremendous power in Pakistan—about $ 5 billion's worth, to be exact. (By 1969, Pakistan had received about $ 3 billion in industrial aid and about $ 2 billion in military aid). Last October, the U.S. negotiated a sale of over $10 million dollars worth of arms. This shipment is due soon. Simply by putting an embargo on arms and aid, the U.S. stymied the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. If America stops its aid now and the World Bank presses for payment of debts due June 30, Pakistan can become bankrupt within 2% months (Washington Post, April 11). In short, all America has to do is to be neutral in deed as well as word.
And it can have its cake and eat it. It can stop the slaughter-and not lose West Pakistan to China. It didn't in 1965. China just could not aid Pakistan in the style to which it had become accustomed. Besides, China's flirtation with West Pakistan puts it in the awkward position of opposing a popular revolt in favor of “capitalist oppressors.”
On the other hand, America has much to lose if, once again, in its myopic fearfulness, it backs the short-term winner-and long-term loser-by allying itself, tacitly or openly, with the West. It can create another Vietnam. Sheik Mujibur Rahman, head of the Awami League which won almost 98% of East Bengali votes in the recent election, is a pro-Western moderate. His Six Point plan would have redressed some of the political and economic wrongs suffered by the East, while preserving “the integrity and unity of the nation'1 so dear to the West. East Bengalis so far have been suspicious of communists: the leftist National Awami Party won very little support in the election and the Mao Naxalites of West Bengal have made no headway in the East. But failure and frustration can only radicalize the moderates. Mujibur Rahman jailed and martyred may well become another Ho Chi Minh.
These are some of the facts and consequences that Mr. McClosky and the State Department should consider-soon.
