727 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড talks with the Ministry of Rehabilitation, which looks after the co-ordination of aid to the uprooted people who are in India and those contacts have always been preparatory contacts, requests of clarification about what we were able to do. That had never been really a formal request. That formal request had come only to us two days ago and that request should have been examined, I should have spoken about it with the Secretary-General to see to what extent he was going to proceed with his own effort. I would like to know that other specialized institutions are doing and to what extent we are able to coordinate our efforts. Regarding their immediate assistance the Indian Government has assumed full responsibility in the immediate future. The various means which were available in India and probably a bilateral aid, had afforded to give an immediate aid to those who came. I believe that they will continue to do that, I believe that this is an operation which will remain an operation of the Government of India. It is quite normal the Government would like certainly to remain in the control of all operations. "We are there to assist to the extent where we are able to make respond to its request but till now all the operations were conducted and coordinated by the Indian authorities. Figaro: Have you any contacts with Pakistan? High Commissioner: My contacts with the Pakistan Government have always been constant. I had never taken initiative, especially revolutionary, since I was there myself some few weeks ago. We have spoken about this problem all the time. I continue to have contacts and I am convinced that the only solution is to arrive in facilitating the repatriation of the people. There was even an article in the Herald Tribune noting a statement of Madam Gandhi. I do not know whether you have read it. The Prime Minister of India hopes that is a temporary problem. She hopes also that the people will return home. Finnish Radio: Remarks that UNHCR appears to have taken the lead. High Commissioner. Because, it is a situation of displaced persons. You see everybody has been talking about a refugee problem so people think of this Office. It is perfectly normal. But we have to find out first of all what the Indian Government wants, and I certainly do not want to speak of our Office as a coordinating point until we know exactly. That the situation is and what the Indian Government wants. As far as the United Nations is concerned, certainly, people have been keeping us informed and we have been an ad hoc way as a kind of focal point. A Correspondent: Asks whether other members of the United Nations Family will take part in the discussions in New Delhi. High Commissioner: As far as I know, most of them are represented in New Delhi. UNDP has a resident representative there, Mr. Mc. Diarmid, who represents the specialized agencies. Some specialized agencies have people there. I know, that WFP, UNICEF have people there. I do not know whether they intend to send separate teams or whether they went to handle it with their local staff taking advantage of the visit of my team, to join in on talks with the Indian authorities. This is a matter for them to decide, but I think that it is probably the case.
