684 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড Rishikesh Shah Nepal We have set up a Committee in Kathrmandu to help the cause of Bangladesh and the refugees from there who have made their way to India. Speaking in physical and geographical terms, I think Nepal is closer to Bangladesh than any country other than India. Let me tell this international gathering that the events in East Bengal have aroused the conscience of the Nepalese people. We in Nepal have asked for the unconditional release of the unquestioned leader of East Bengal, or for that matter the whole of Pakistan, Rahman because we have felt that his release alone will help the political settlement of the question of East Bengal. I do not think it is not a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.N. Charter. It has been my opinion for a long time that in a question concerning the natural rights of man himself, if we are not prepared to look at it in the proper perspective, we certainly cannot find fault with other countries like South Africa for denying human rights to certain sections of their population. I am sure this Conference will look at this problem in this perspective. Our Committee has sent several representatives to this Conference and I assure you on behalf of every one of them that we shall do everything possible to help the cause of East Bengal. Of course, we are a non-official body. The least we can do is to make an appeal to all members of the United Nations to extend recognition to the new Government of Bangladesh. V. David Malaysia Mr. Chairman and Fellow Delegates: I bring the warmest getting’s from the people of Malaysia to this International Conference on Bangladesh. We have come here to show our feelings and express our solidarity with the just struggle of the people of Bangladesh. We are here to be with you, to sharpe your views and express our concern at the horror and massacre in Bangladesh during March 1971. At this juncture I am sure my colleague will share with me the feeling that never was much information regarding Bangladesh available in Malaysia. Our Government has been absolutely silent on this issue. But the people are concerned. They want to see freedom flourish in Bangladesh. There have been many schools of thought. Some believe that it is a war between Pakistan and India. Others believe that in Bangladesh the people are fighting for freedom. If we respect the right of self-determination then no nation and no people can remain silent on the rights of the people of Bangladesh. Secondly, if at all there is a leader with whom anyone would like to talk about Bangladesh, he is the rightful and popularly elected democratic leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. If peace and prosperity is to be preserved in Asia, then he should be immediately released and any talks that arc to be conducted should be conducted by any power with him
