827 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড My letter of 20th October was written in the context of my memorandum of 20th July, 1971, addressed to the President of the Security Council. Within this broad perspective, I had hoped to have the opportunity to review the whole situation with the leaders of both Governments in an effort to find ways in which solutions to some of the pressing and critical problems, which both Governments face, could be found. "As your Excellency knows, the exercise of good offices requires the assent and co-operation of all parties concerned. Under the present circumstances, to my regret, there does not seem to be a basis for the exercise of the Secretary-General's good offices. Nonetheless, I am still anxious to be of whatever assistance the parties may find useful. "I have read with deep concern the description of the situation contained in your letter of 23rd November. I most earnestly hope that the United Nations will prove able to be of assistance to both Governments in avoiding a further escalation of violence into a senseless and destructive war. "I note Your Excellency's statement that a personal initiative by me could still avert a catastrophe. While I am deeply anxious to do anything that I can to avert a further catastrophe, I have been obliged to conclude that I have gone, for the moment, as far as my authority under the Charter permits me, usefully and meaningfully, to go in the present circumstances. As Your Excellency mentioned in your letter of 23rd November, I have brought this situation to the attention of the Members of the Security Council, both in July, through my memorandum to the President of the Security Council, and in October, when I offered my good offices. I will, of course, remain in touch with the Representatives of both Pakistan and India concerning ways in which the United Nations may prove able to assist both in attempting to preserve international peace and Security and in working out a peaceful and lasting solution to the fundamental problems which underline the present tragic situation" 11. The President of the Security Council, was kept continuously informed of the action of the Secretary-General relating to his offer of good offices. Copies of all the messages addressed by the Secretary-General in this regard to the Prime Minister of India or the President of Pakistan were immediately communicated to the president of the Security Council for his information. 12. On 29th November, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan conveyed to the Secretary-General a message from the President of Pakistan as follows: "I have the honor to convey the following message from the President of Pakistan to Your Excellency. This message was received yesterday and was orally conveyed to Under Secretary-General Roberto Guyer at 9.pm. last night: Begins: Excellency, As you will have seen from my letter of 23rd November, a grave situation prevails at present on the borders of East Pakistan as a result of unprovoked and large-scale attacks by the Indian armed forces. As Your Excellency is aware, while accepting your offer of
