173 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : সপ্তম খণ্ড withdraw her forces from our borders. This is the only solution for reducing tension in this are and saving it from a disastrous war which would result in callosal damage to life and property in both countries. "it is our sincere belief that whether it be for the creation of a climate conducive to the return of the displaced persons of for the normalization of the situation, it is essential that India and Pakistan should work out ways and means to reduce tension and allow normalcy to return at the earliest. Having this in mind we have accepted in the past and will always be prepared to consider any positive initiative from any quarter which would help to realize these objectives. "Here, I would like to address a word to my countrymen who are living abroad and who were misled by the horrifying tales born in the imagination of Indian propagandists and their foreign protagonists. I am glad that facts are now becoming known to them. I wish it were possible for them to come home to see things for themselves and to discover how the Indian propagandists have distorted the truth. "I have repeatedly said and I say it again that we are a peace-loving country and want to live in peace with all nations of the world particularly with our neighbors. We have no desire to interfere in the affairs of other people nor shall we allow others to interfere in ours. Undisturbed and lasting peace is essential for the prosperity and well being of our people. We have throughout done our utmost to avoid conflict and exercised every restraint ill the interest of peace. However, unilateral efforts by us alone in such a situation are not enough and there has to be response and reciprocity from India. We know and I hope that our neighbor also realizes that armed conflicts do not solve any problem. In fact such conflicts create more problems and hamper the pace of progress. "We firmly believe that all outstanding issues between the two countries including those of Kashmir and Farakka Barrage should be setted peacefully in a Just and equitable manner. While desire peace, we are fully prepared to defend and protect, our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Let there be no misunderstanding or miscalculation on that account. "I would now like to apprise you of the details of my plan of transfer to power which I had announced on the 28th of June this year and which was followed by a statement by me on 18th September. I might mention here that the plan was fully discussed with the political leaders, and they were informed in clear terms of what I was going to announce. "As you are aware, I have already taken certain steps toward the fulfillment of the plan. Arrangements have been made by the Chief Election Commissioner to hold byelections to fill in the vacancies in the National Assembly as well as the provincial Assembly in East Pakistan. "The Constitution will be published by the 20th of December and the National Assembly will be summoned on the 27th of December, 1971. "You are also aware that the National Assembly will have every opportunity of suggesting amendments in the Constitution and a special easier procedure for facilitating
