বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড)/১৮০
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| দিল্লীর আন্তজার্তিক সম্মেলনে বাংলাদেশের স্বীকৃতির প্রশ্ন | হিন্দুস্তান স্ট্যাণ্ডার্ড | ২০ সেপ্টেম্বর, ১৯৭১ |
CONFLICTING VIEWS ON RECOGNITION OF BANGLADESH EXPRESSED
(By a Staff Reporter)
New Delhi, September 19-Conflicting viewpoints were put forward on the desirability of the Government of India according recognition to Bangladesh at the three-day international conference on Bangladesh here today.
The Session which was devoted to “the Obligations of the International Community” towards Bangladesh was marked by exchanges which forced the Chairman, Sir Senarat Gunawardana, to call the participants repeatedly to maintain decorum.
Heat was generated when a suggestion to visit a number of foreign missions in Delhi to prevail upon them to recognize Bangladesh was under consideration. Some participants objected to the inclusion of the India Government in the list.
Another section opposed this view on the ground that the conference “should not embarrass the Government of India.” One of the participants even suggested that they should on the contrary, call on the Prime Minister and commend her for the steps taken so far by this country to rehabilitate the refugee from Bangladesh.
Mujib’s Release
As the debate become more heated, an agitated L’Abbe Pierre stood up and sought the permission of the chair to say a few words. He said that there was no Government which had moral courage to recognize Bangladesh. Would it not be better in this context to urge the Yahya Khan Government to release Sheikh Mujibur Rhaman and respect the massive electoral mandate given to him and his party in December last? he asked.
Mr. Pierre defended the India Government a second time when the session was considering a suggestion for leading a freedom march to Bangladesh with foreign delegate’s participating in it. He said that this march could put the India Government in an “untenable Position as it would start from its territory.
Some other participants had also expressed their doubts about this suggestion. One felt that move should have the blessings of the Government of Bangladesh otherwise it would fail to achieve its purpose.
The suggestion for forming an international brigade on the lines of the one which fought in the Spanish civil war did not find favour as it could lead to complications.
The session agreed that a copy of the resolution asking for the release of Sheikh Mujiber Rahman should be presented to the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi. They decided to do so on Tuesday.
March To Islamabad
The Session also considered a suggestion that an International march to বাংরাদেশেরIslamabed from New Delhi or Kabul should be organized to acquaint the West Pakistanis with the facts about what was happening in the eastern wing of their country. At a participants suggestion, Teheran was included as a possible starting point for the march.
A suggestion that participants visiting refugee camps should cross in to Bangladesh as a “symbolic cat” of defying the Yahya regime met with stiff opposition.
The Commission on “support to Bangladesh” debated a number of steps to help the people of East Bengal. Mr. K. Subrahamanyam, Director. Insatiate for Defence Studies and Analyses, said that India should seriously consider creating some sort of a situation preferably short or war, on her western border with Pakistan to deflect attention of General Yahya khan and his hatcher men from Bangladesh to the Western wing of their Country.
More Troops
He said after the rains Pakistani Generals would favour movement of more troops and lethal weapons from the western wing to Bangladesh to deal a hard blow to Bangladesh freedom fighters.
Notwithstanding noteworthy gains made by the freedom fighters, the presence of more enemy troops in Bangladesh was likely to make a difference to the ultimate outcome of their struggle. As such, India should do something before the balance was tilted against the Mukti Bahini.
Explaining American motives for pumping military aid into Pakistan despite wanton killing by its troops in Bangladesh, Mr. subrahmanyam said in the beginning Pakistan was used as a countervailing power to India and also used as a member of U.S sponsored military pacts. Pakistan was also used as a channel of Communication to other Muslim Countries. And now, the Americans had used it as channel of communication with China.
Other speakers at the session, which was presided over by Mr. William Molloy, British M.P., underlined the need for propagating the Bangladesh cause in Australia, Africa and South East Asian Countries. They said because of the failure of communication colossal ignorance prevailed about the issue in many areas of the world.
Plea for Recognition
Speaker from Bangladesh and several other countries made a fervent plea for recognition of their Government. They Said Bangladesh was a vibrant reality whose frontiers were advancing day by day. It had territory, sovereignty and all other concomitants of a modern State, “By recognizing our Government foreign powers will be greatly extending areas of their influence.”
Mrs. Sally Ray from Australia said although wanton destruction of life and property in East Bengal was beyond belief, Bangladesh had not come in Australia an issue of such topical interest as Viet Nam and Biafra were. It was because people had not been told about the problem. Delegations should be sent there.
Another Australian delegate said: There are many skeletons in our cup-board. For instance, we have been accused for being indifferent to plans for the uplift of our aborigines. We have been accused of denying independence to New-Guinea. But I can assure you all we shall not be found lacking in sympathy and support for the Bangladesh cause. All those who know the issues involved in Bangladesh feel very upset”.
The U.S.A., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and other Arab countries had reportedly offered substantial economic and military aid to Pakistan. The U.S.A attitude was most untenable. That country which held aloft the beacon of liberty and gave the world such slogans as “Give me liberty or give me death” I should now be a party to the complete denial of human rights to people in East Pakistan is most shocking.”