Preconditions for settlement
MUJIBNAGAR. (Bangladesh) JUNE. 6- Syed Nazrul Islam, acting President of the Sovereign People’s Republic of Bangladesh tonight spelt out four pre-conditions for a political settlement of the Bangladesh issue, reports PTI,
In a 45-minute broadcast from the Swadhin Bangla Beter Kendra. Mr. Islam said that the conditions were : (i) Unconditional release of Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. President of the Bangladesh Government and elected representatives of the people thrown into prison; (ii) Withdrawal of the invading West Pakistani Army from the soil of Bangladesh; (iii) Recognition of the Sovereign Republic of Bangladesh and (iv) Compensation for the losses suffered by the people during the two and half months of barbarous atrocities by the West Pakistani Army.
Mr. Islam said that many countries-big and small-had talked about a political settlement in Bangladesh. But nobody had specifically stated their formulae. On behalf of the Government, he made it clear to these countries that if they had thought of a settlement within the framework of the so-called Pakistan they would be grossly mistaken.
“Pakistan is dead and she cannot be revived. Free Bangladesh is now a reality. On behalf of the Bangladesh Government I want to make it amply clear that the 75 million people of Bangladesh will not accept any hotch-potch political settlement. We had wanted a settlement but after the horrifying night of March 25, the question of a settlement does not arise.” the acting President said.
Expressing his heartfelt thanks to the Government, politicians and people of India Mr. Islam said that a lot was being done for the helpless people from Bangladesh who were spending their days in a painfull condition. “We know the ernment of India is doing its best to serve these people. It was our moral duty to serve these people. But we could not do that because we feel sorry and aggrieved.” he said.
Mr. Islam made it clear to the evacuees that they had not left their country for good but had taken shelter in the neighbouring countries temporarily to escape the torture of the West Pakistani Army. “We know you are eager to return to your hearth and home. Our Government and Mukti Fouj are struggling so that you can return to your home with respect.” he added.
Mr. Islam said that only if these “basic pre-conditions” were fulfiled a political settlement could be found. And for that the Bangladesh Government was prepared to hold a dialogue at any place in any situation and with anybody” he added.
The acting President paid rich tributes to the people and the Government of India for giving shelter to 4 million evacuees from Bangladesh. He also thanked Burma, where some evacuees had taken shelter.
· The acting President assured the people that the Mukti Fouj would liberate the areas occupied by invading West Pakistani Army. remove them from the soil of Bangladesh and help rehabilitate the uprooted people again in their homes. “Our Government has taken the decision that every evacuee from Bangladesh will be brought in their homes and rehabilitated.” he said.
Outlining in detail the atrocities perpetrated by the Army and the conspiracy by General Yahya Khan. Mr. Islam said that after so much of bloodshed since March 25, people were not going to be bluffed by the tricks of Yahya and nobody was going to accept any puppet regime in Bangladesh with pseudo peoples representatives.
The acting President regretted that with its limited resources the Bangladesh Government could not do much for the Mukti Fouj. In Spite of want of proper food, shelter and uniforms, the Mukti Fouj, triggered by a sense of patriotism, was fighting to drive away the enemy forces. The Bengali youths, students and soldiers who were engaged in the struggle were the “symbols of hope and aspiration of the people of Bangladesh” he said.
Mr. Islam said that the Government had taken the reponsibility of maintaining the families of those members of the Liberation Army who had laid down their lives or had become disabled. He called upon the youths who had taken shelter in the interior because of the repression by the West Pakistani Army to come and join the Mukti Fauj. “We will be able to drive out the enemy troops and victory is definitely ours,” he declared.
The Bangladesh Government will send another batch of emissaries to different countries within a few days to mobilies support for the cause of Bangladesh Mr. Islam said.
Mr. Islam said this time the emissaries would be sent to Far Eastern Arab, African and Latin American countries to bring support and sympathy for the struggling people of Bangladesh. He said that the emissaries and political leaders had been able to awaken the conscience of the world by unfolding the real picture of the Yahya regime and its barbarous atrocities. As a result of this the representatives of the Yahya Government who were moving from country to country with a “begging bowl” did not receive any financial assistance to revive the crumbling economy of Pakistan, the acting President added.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 07.06.1971