813 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড conclusion of this discussion, the President of the Council expressed full support for the action taken by the Secretary-General. Substantial contributions have been promptly offered in response to my appeal for the refugees in India. However, the money and supplies made available are not nearly sufficient, and the Indian Government still faces the appalling and disruptive problem of caring for millions of refugees in its territory for an unforeseeable period of time. The response to my appeal for the relief operation in East Pakistan, particularly in its initial phase, has been far from sufficient or adequate to the magnitude of the task. In this connexion, I should mention that in my dealings with the Government of Pakistan, as well as in the organisation of the relief effort in East Pakistan, I have been at pains to emphasize the necessity of being able to give to the donor countries appropriate assurances that their contributions will reach their intended destinationthe people of East Pakistan. Efforts to bring about the repatriation of refugees have so far been unavailing. Since President Yahya Khan announced his agreement to allow the East Pakistan refugees to return on 25th May, only an insignificant number of refugees have done so, and, according to Indian and other sources, the total number of the refugees in India has steadily increased. The crux of the matter is that international and government efforts in East Pakistan are increasingly hampered by the lack of substantial progress towards a political reconciliation and the consequent effect on law, order and public administration in the region. There is a danger that serious food shortages, and even famine, could soon add to the sufferings of the population unless conditions can be improved to the point where a large-scale relief programme can be effective. Equally serious is the undoubted fact that reconciliation, an improved political atmosphere and the success of relief efforts are indispensable prerequisites for the return of any of the refugees now in India. The situation is one in which political, economic and social factors have produced a series of vicious circle which largely frustrate the efforts of the authorities concerned and of the international community to deal with the vast humanitarian problems involved. These human tragedies have consequences in a far wider sphere. The violent emotions aroused could have repercussions on the relations of religious and ethnic group on the sub-continent as a whole. The relations between the Governments of India and Pakistan are also a major component of the problem. The conflict between the principles of the territorial integrity of States and self-determination has often before in history given rise to fratricidal strife and, in recent years, has provoked highly emotional reactions in the international community. In the present case, there is an additional element of danger for the crisis is unfolding in the context of the longstanding and unresolved difficulties between India and Pakistan, difficulties which gave rise to open warfare only six years ago. Although there can be no question of the deep desire of both Governments for peace, tension between them shows no sign of subsiding. The situation on the borders of East Pakistan is particularly disturbing. Border clashes, clandestine raids and acts of sabotage appear to be becoming more frequent, and this is all the more
