427 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ পঞ্চম খন্ড It is not that Nixon does not realize the mess he has got himself in during last few weeks. What then could be his strategy to avert his impending political disaster for the Republicans. His first move is likely to be to find a 'political solution' short of impendence for Bangladesh and get Sheikh Mujib to consent to it. As Yahya junta has made the scene too messy to make them presentable at a conference table one should not surprised to see the good old CIA back at its favorite game and pull off a coup d'etat by a group of so-called moderate generals. Field reports by American officials still staying in Bangladesh must have convinced him that, let alone victory a military defeat is imminent for the Pakistani army caught in Bangladesh. If Nixon succeeds in saving the surviving army personnel here Pakistan would still remain tied to US apron strings out of sheer gratitude. On the other hand, the Chinese stand on the issue no longer appears rigid. Peking radio has remained quiet over the issue for an unusually long time. The latest all-out American support for the Pakistani junta must have brought home to them the reality of Sino-Pak friendship based on nothing else but a common hatred against India. Despite all those arms and interest-free economic aid etc. Pakistan has always remained very much a baby of the White House. This is a reality that must taste rather unpalatable to the foreign Relation experts in Peking. Recently, discernible indications are there of a charged Chinese attitude toward India. Now with Indian disenchantment with American friendship may begin a newer phase in Indo-Chinese relationship because, until now, the major Chinese objection was against IndoAmerican understanding. On this side, Indian political leaders of almost all the major parties including the ruling Congress Party are increasingly expressing opinions in favor of a serious review of the Indo-Chinese cold confrontation. All these new developments certainly encourage prediction of an international atmosphere favorable to the future of Bangladesh. With the series of spectacular successes of the Mukti Bahini on the battle field and their increasing might and capability to go soon for a positional warfare to liberate and hold the occupied areas of Bangladesh comes the possibility of the recognition of the Government of Bangladesh by more than one country. The month of August is sure to prove the most significant for the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. ১২ আগষ্ট, ১৯৭১ I can't help repeating my fear once again. The question of the moment-Is Sheikh still alive? Has he not been done away with by the maniacs before Yahya's sudden declaration of the date of trial with shortest possible notice-a notice of precisely 48 hours? Why they hurry? Sheikh was not running away ! He was in their hands and far away from the battlefield where defeat is engulfing the Pak army not too slowly and, quite steadily. There must be a greater reason behind the timing of the trial than a mere wish to show the florid their kind of justice. Sheikh had been kept incommunicado since his arrest. Nobody other than his vile captors has seen him. Of course, Begum Sulaiman, daughter of late Shahid Suhrawardy and presently a quisling of the military junta, claimed in Dacca late lust May that she has
