Evacuees return doubtful : Aga Khan
From our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, JUNE 16. – Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, the U. N. The High Commissioner for Refugees is reported to have indicated here that he cannot be quite confident of the return of evacuees if the military presence in East Bengal continues to be what it is now.
He had today a 45-minute meeting with the Union Minister for Rehabilitation Mr. R. K. Khadilkar, and later with the Foreign Secretary, Mr. T. N. Kaul. He will meet the Prime Minister tomorrow.
His visit to evacuees camps near Calcutta yesterday had convinced him of the colossal magnitude of the problem.
· Prince Sadruddin is said to have assured the Minister that he would do his best to mobilize UN members to help evacuees in India. He said, thus admitted the inadequacy of international assistance when it is kept in view that about six millions of them had already crossed into Indian territory and that two million more are likely to join the massive influx.
This point had been emphasized by Mr. Khadilkar who had pointed out that international assistance till now had amounted to only Rs. 30 crores including Rs. 1 crore in cash.
Prince Sadrudding told newsmen after his talks with Mr. Khadilkar that he would try “in a humanitarian way” to “contribute to a solution of a problem which we all share with concern.”
He told a questioner that he did not mean a political solution but a solution of the evacuees problem. He was reluctant to speak to the Press.
He is said to have been hurt because of some Press comments seeking to describe him as pro-Pakistani.
One point which both the sides had stressed was that conditions must be made favorable for the return of evacuees to Bangladesh. In this connection, Mr. Khadilkar had told him that the UN must do something if such conditions were to be created. The Prince pointed out that an agency of the UN would be opened in Dacca.
While dwelling on this subject. he was supposed to have expressed his doubt of its success because of the Pakistani military presence all over East Bengal.
He had also pleaded it is learnt that they had to move very cautiously without treading on political ground if they were to have at least some measure of success in the UN’s humanitarian mission.
Mr. Khadilkar had also underlined the problem of roofing materials and transport.
The latest official figure of evacuees as on June 13 is 57, 91, 855.
Prince Sadruddin had appreciated India’s help to evacuees after what he had seen for himself of evacuees camps near Calcutta.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 17.06.1971