○ と心 বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র কর্তৃক পাকিস্তানকে সাম্প্রতিক রাজ্যসভার কার্য বিবরণী ২৪ জুন, ১৯৭১ অস্ত্র সরবরাহের রিপোটের ওপর আলাচনা ΟΑLLΙΝΟ ΑΤΤΕΝΤΙΟΝ ΤΟ ΑΜΑΤΤΕR ΟΡ URΟΕΝΤ PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Report of Recent shipments of Arms by the U. S. A to Pakistan SHRI CHITTA BASU (West Bengal): Mr. Chairman. Sir I beg to call the attention of the Minister of External Affairs to the reports of recent shipments of arms by the USA to Pakistan. THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SATDAR SWARAN SINGH): Mr. Chairman Sir Government appreciate and share the concern of all sections of this House about the reported shipment of certain items of military equipment from the United States to Pakistan recently. The New York times report of June 22 about two ships, 'sunderbans and padma' flying the flag of Pakistan having sailed from new York on the 8th of may and 21st of June respectively, with cargo of the United states military equipments seems to be substantially correct. Out Ambassador in Washington took up the matter immediately on receipt of this report with the Under secretary ostate on the evening of 22nd June. The matter was also taken up with the U.S embassy in New Delhi on 23" June. According to the U. S Government no foreign military sales to Pakistan have been authorized or approved since March 25, and no export licenses have been issued for commercial purchases in U.S. since March 25, nor have export licenses been renewed since that date. The U. S Government has further stated that the New York Times article is incorrect in stating that such shipment included 8 aircraft. According to them no air craft are on board these vessels. The U. S Government have however admitted that it is possible that fore3ign military sales items authorized or approved prior to March 25, have been delivered to the dock side since that date and may be aboard the two ships referred to in the New York times. They have further stated that it was also possible that commercially purchased items where export licenses were required and were issued before March 25 may aboard these ships. Further there are some items for which export licenses are not required. So it is possible that some such items are also on the ships. They have stated that it is thus probable that these ships do carry items of military equipment resulting from actions taken prior to March 25. The Under Secretary of state has appreciated our concern and expressed regret that this loophole regarding past authorizations had not been brought to our notice. He has further explained that full facts regarding what had been covered by export licenses issued in the past the shipments of which have not been effected, were still not known and he could not, therefore say that there would be no further shipments yet to be made. He has however added that up to the moment they had not come to any conclusion on the subject and they were examining the matter.
