618 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড The tragic events of the past few months in East Pakistan have led to a strengthening of militaristic tendencies in both India and Pakistan. The military chiefs, hungry for honor and desirous of "action for the boys" as they are beginning to wield increasingly effective influence over the policies of both Islamabad and New Delhi Both countries have military heads that are too heavy for their frail bodies. There are nearly two million men under arms in the sub-continent and many more millions could be armed, no matter how crudely, if and when a confrontation come. When the Naxalite rebellion was in full swing in West Bengal the Pakistanis did all to help the insurgents in the hope of weakening India. Rebels found shelter in East Pakistan and the bulk of the arms they received from China passed through Dinajpur and Rajshahi. The result was that West Bengal became virtually ungovernable. Now the Indians are talking their revenge by sheltering East Pakistani rebels, training and arming them and throwing full political support behind them both sides might prove to have succeeded in relating the Bengali giant that was captive in two interlinked bottles, Yahya Khan's government might well be the last Pakistani government capable of making a fair deal with India. But it is precisely this government that New Delhi hopes to overthrow. At the same time Mrs. Gandhi's government risks becoming a captive of the military chiefs if the present situation deteriorates. In trying to stab Pakistan in the back India might well be committing harakiri at the same time. But these are all considerations of a strategic nature. What is of immediate importance is to save East Pakistan from famine and West Bengal from economic collapse under the pressure of the refugees. The Americans have apparently promised massive financial and food aid to Pakistan. The first doses are expected to be administered before the end of the summer. But much more is needed. The situation in East Pakistan and West Bengal must be treated as one of vital importance to the world as a whole. For the seeds of a gargantuan Asian tragedy are being sown in this arena of human struggle against poverty and starvation.
