“Americans failed to assess enormity of tragedy”
By A Staff Reporter, The recent massacre of People in Bangladesh by the Pak Army was caused by two motives – to wipe out the intellectuals and to flare up a communal riot leading to the annihilation of the Hindu population there, said Mr. C. E. Gallagher, Chairman of the Asian and Pacific Affairs Sub-Committee of the US House of Representatives, at a get-together at Press Club on Friday.
Mr. Gallagher, who took a close interest in refugee matters, visited a number of’ camps at Bongaon and Dum Dum and was convinced that the Yahya administration had terrorized. the Bangladesh people and unleashed a brutal and barbarous genocide there. The enormity of the tragedy could not be assessed by the people of America, he said.
He said during his survey of the situation and interviews with eye-witnesses. he had heard stories of terror, brutality and barbarity. The reports in different newspapers were not at all exaggerated, he added.
Praising India’s stand he said she had demonstrated a commendable feeling of sympathy for the poor and unfortunate victims or ruthless aggression, and did her utmost to help them at a critical moment.
Commenting on the reaction of the USA to happenings in Bangladesh, he said the Government was terribly concerned at the problem. The USA could not be indifferent to the humanitarian issue and the situation, as prevailing there, could not be tolerated any longer.
He said on his return to the USA he would mobilize public opinion in favor of the suffering humanity and urge the Government not to subsidize the impoverished economy of Pakistan.
He also said that the Pakistan Aid Consortium should be pressured not to help Pakistan. President Yahya Khan’s claim that President Nixon had supported Pakistan was an inaccurate assessment of the latter’s statement, he added.
| About US arms aid to Pakistan he said these were used to kill civilians. When the tragedy was realized arms aid would automatically stop, he added.
In reply to a question he said only a political solution could ensure the return of the refugees to their land. He however, said the scars would take time to heal. Only when fear of life and distrust were conquered, the refugees would go back home.
Asked if the situation in Bangladesh would escalate into a global war, he said the seeds were there. If things went beyond the tolerance of world powers a grave repercussion was not ruled out. He said the world community should put pressure on Pakistan for a settlement to avert any untoward consequence. He recommended the release of Mujibur to ease the situation.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 05.06.1971