172 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড by her propaganda. All peace-loving countries of the world have understood with sympathy the yeoblem that we are facing and striving to resolve. A number of friendly countries have given us assistance directly and through the United Nations for the relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons and for the reconstruction of East Pakistan's economy. I would like to express my thanks to them. "We have been gratified by the reassuring attude of a very large number of countries who have fully supported the stand the events in East Pakistan are our internal matter and that no one has any right to tell us how to conduct our affairs. "Recently, I sent special envoys to call on the leaders of some African and Latin American countries who were most forthright in upholding our action in suppressing internal rebellion and disorder, Heart-warming messages expressing solidarity with our cause have been received from friends in the Muslim world and a number of Asian and African countries. "We deeply appreciate the friendship and support by the Government of the People's Republic of China in our just stand. The understanding shown by the United States Government in the present situation is an important contribution to the principle that every nation has a right to find a solution its own problems. "I have noted with interest the keen desire of Premier Kosygin expressed during a recent speech at Moscow for maintenance of peace in the subcontinent and that the Soviet Union would do everything possible to prevent a breach of peace. I welcome this and sincerely hope that the Soviet Union would use its influence to persuade India to refrain from indulging in acts which could lead to an armed conflict. I however, regret that Premier Kosygin made no mention of the various positive steps taken by me to transfer power to the elected representatives of the people as well as to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of displaced persons. Many proposals of the United Nations like posting of U.N. observers to facilitate the return of displaced persons and defusing the explosive situation on the borders have been welcomed by us but spurned by the Indians. This is not the way towards peace. As a result of general amnesty granted by the Government and the adequate arrangements for their rehabilitation about two hundred thousand displaced persons have come back to Pakistan but India is still holding back a large proportion although their number is grossly exaggerated by her. In this regard, we would welcome any international agency to assess the correct number of displaced persons. This proposal has also been turned down by the Indians. The obvious conclusion one can draw from this is that the bloated figures as given out by India can only be for one purpose and that is to attract maximum external aid under false pretences. She is forcibly keeping displaced persons in a pitiable state in stinking slum and camps and does not allow them to return. We would be grateful to all friendly countries if they would influence India to regard the issue of displaced persons as a human problem and instead of making political and financial capital out of it, let them return to their homes. International community should also impress upon India the need to desist from interfering in our internal affairs and to
