76 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ ৩৪। সিনেটর কেনেডীকে লিখিত পাক ওয়াশিংটন দূতাবাসের দলিলপত্র ৪ জুন, ১৯৭১ রাষ্ট্রদূত আগাহিলালীর চিঠি EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008 June 4, 1971 Dear Senator Kennedy: I have just read your statement of June 2 in the Congressional Record expressing anxiety in regard to the problem of our refugees at present in India. I am writing to assure you that my Government is as anxious as India to halt this outflow from East Pakistan and has, during the last few days, taken certain concrete steps not only to dissuade persons from leaving the country but also to persuade them to return as soon as possible. In this regard may I invite your attention to the appeal made by the President of Pakistan on May 21 urging all those Pakistan citizens who left their homes because of disturbed conditions in East Pakistan to return to their homeland. This appeal was broadcast on Pakistan's national radio network and was also published in all sections of the Pakistan press so that the refugees wherever they may be, may get to know about it and return. Three days after his public appeal, the President in the course of a press conference in Karachi on May 24, announced a general amnesty to all those who left due to fear of the disturbed conditions, threats, panic or were genuinely misled. Immediate steps were taken to implement the Presidential announcement. Twenty reception centers have been opened for returning refugees at those points in eleven border districts of East Pakistan where the refugees are most likely to cross back into East Pakistan. These centers are operating under the general directive of the President which is to the effect that "here is no question of withholding permission to the return of all law-abiding citizens of Pakistan to their respective homes." Civilian personnel manning the centers will help the refugees in every way possible to return home, resume employment and restart life. We understand that some refugees have begun to return, but we are awaiting a full response to the President's appeal and the measures taken by the Government to facilitate their return and rehabilitation. We think that the above measures can meet the demands of the situation at present, provided the authorities in our neighboring country will not obstruct or delay the return of the refugees in order to use in as a political stick with which to beat Pakistan. We are also hopeful that in this task we will obtain all international help and sympathy so that we can resolve what is essentially a human problem as quickly as possible. After the ending of the anarchy that prevailed in East Pakistan between March 2 and 25 as a result of the Awami League’s resort to lawlessness and violence and the reestablishment of law and order, the economy of East Pakistan is now being rehabilitated. The highest priority is being given to restoration f the means of
