THE STRAITS TIMES, MALAYSIA, JUNE 7, 1971
Editorial
EAST BENGAL REFUGEES
Non-involvement in the “internal” affairs of sovereign states has rarely been carried as far it has in the East Pakistani crisis. Four million refugees have crossed into India. There have been cholera outbreaks in many refugee camps, the death toll estimated now at 8,000. To prevent the spread of the disease to Calcutta, vulnerable to epidemics, the Indian Government has felt compelled to seal the East Pakistan frontier. This does not guarantee an end cither to the refugee influx or to the spread of cholera.
New Delhi is clearly unable to cope with this situation and bas made no secret of it. Mrs. Indira Gandhi bas dispatched her Foreign Minister on a six-nation tour to impress on the major powers the fact that the East Pakistani crisis has become an almost intolerable problem, even threatening peace in the sub-continent. Thanks to the Western Press and political leaders in Europe and the United Sates there is some hope of assistance. Oxfam has flown ant cholera vaccine and medicines and the Royal Air Force is standing by to fly mercy missions. Washington has earmarked substantial aid and is sending transport aircraft to India to move refugees from the border zones to areas where there are better facilities. But will sufficient aid reach India and Pakistan in time to prevent catastrophic tragedy? The answer will be known in the coming monsoon weeks.
Pakistan too has asked for massive aid but international response is qualified by caution. Pakistan’s inability to use properly the aid sent after last year’s cyclone, and its reluctance to admit international agencies freely have provoked an element of suspicion and distrust. The deep-seated hostility between the East Bengalis and the military administration is an important element which cannot be wished away.
At least Pakistan appears to be relenting. Two representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General are to visit Dacca to set up machinery to coordinate U. N. relief efforts. Here again time is of the essence. Many parts of East Pakistan will become almost inaccessible except by river-craft. Chittagong port is not yet back in working condition. And Islamabad must be persuaded towards a political settlement in the absence of which refugees will still struggle to reach India, and those who are already there will stay put.
The developments in East Pakistan are no longer solely an internal problem. Even Pakistan bas given up the pretence of being able to come to grips with it without massive external assistance. The fact that it has also created a problem for India has added a dangerous element.