702 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড "Mr. Marshall's statement received widespread publicity", the Prime Minister went on. "It was also drawn to the attention of the Pakistan Government through its High Commission in Canberra. Sir. Keith added that New Zealand had supported the right of India to raise the question at the recent session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. On 7" May the New Zealand Permanent Representative reiterated to the Council's Social Committee the deep concern felt in New Zealand about events in East Pakistan. "It is the human aspect of the situation, the bloodshed and suffering, that has distressed New Zealanders most" said Mr. Scott, "but we are also increasingly worried about its implications for the peace of the sub-continent." "The Government has not only made clear the concern felt in this country about the situation in East Pakistan" said the Prime Minister, "we have also recognized that international action is required. There are now three million refugees from East Pakistan in neighboring parts of India and their needs cannot be met without largeScale assistance from abroad. I understand a public appeal is now being considered within New Zealand; the Government is prepared to lend its support to this humanitariam effort and to contribute whateverit cam." THE HOLY FATHER'S APPEAL FOR EAST PAKISTAN ON JUNE 2, 1971 During the general audience held on June 2, 1971, after having spoken on the economy of salvation. Paul VI had drawn the attention of the faithful to the sad conditions existing in East Pakistan, upset by the war. The following are the words of the Holy Father: Permit us now to say a word on another topic. Among the trials that afflict us now during this period there is that of the sad situation of the population of East Pakistan. The causes of this are known and it is not for us to judge its political value. We look at the condition of the region already terribly tried last year by the devastating floods of the Ganges for which even we tried to render some assistance and invoked the help of the Church all over the world. It was then that the charity of the Catholic Brethren and Catholic aid institutions came forward immediately with their generous proof of solidarity towards Pakistan hit by the serious calamity. We too, while on our way to the Philippines last November, decided to make a short night stop at Dacca in order to bring testimony to the Authorities and the population of our special interest. A few months later, another and still more serious disturbance has upset the eastern region of the country, stirring up a civil conflict of no small proportions. Two, painful phenomenon call for the solicitudes of the good; the phenomenon of the fleeing of a large number of the inhabitants they say some two or three million of the poor people who are now in a very pitiful condition. The other phenomenon concerns those who have
