Refugee problem is not merely a matter of charity – PM
ROME, JUNE 23 – The international community should concentrate on all aspects of the Pakistani refugee problem, not only relief aid, Prime Minister, Mrs. Gandhi said in an interview on Italian television yesterday, reports AFP.
Mrs. Gandhi said, India was bearing the brunt of the burden although it was one of the poorest countries in the world. But the situation was not simply a matter of charity, she added.
“Future peace is at stake along with stability in that part of the world. If there is no peaceful stability, I believe there will be repercussions on the rest of the world.” She said,
Indicating that insufficient assistance had been sent to the refugees, she said that many of them had lost their families, were ill and were suffering from shock.
Although India could give them the minimum amount of food necessary for survival, the refugees needed vitamins and medical supplies.
On cholera Mrs. Gandhi said that the situation was “more under control now, but our borders are so long that it is difficult to control everyone who comes across”.
One big problem was Indian fears in certain areas that the Pakistanis would stay for good. There was not enough land available, she said.
There was already a big unemployment problem, Mrs. Gandhi added and work could not be given to non-Indian nationals.
Meanwhile, the Italian Episcopal Conference responded to a plea by Pope Paul by sending 30,000 dollars (Rs. 2,25,000) for refugees it was announced yesterday.
South Vietnam has decided to donate to India 200,000 doses of anti-cholera vaccine for the East Bengal refugees, a release from the South Vietnamese ConsulateGeneral said today, reports UNI.
The gift will be handed over to the Indian Consul-General Mr. Madanjeet Singh in Saigon tomorrow, it added.
The Thai Government has also decided to give 100 tons of rice and ten tons of sugar for East Bengal refugees staying in West Bengal, official sources said today, reports Reuter.
The sources said the Government at a Cabinet meeting yesterday decided to send the gift through the United Nations.
Meanwhile relief materials worth about Rs. 22 crores have so far been airlifted to Calcutta from different parts of the world for the refugees.
These included ambulances, trucks, high protein food, tent materials and inflated warehouses for keeping stocks.
A USSR ship carrying mainly rice for the refugees is due to arrive in Calcutta shortly.
The West Pakistani military junta has been removing Bengalees from senior posts in all departments and agencies concerned with distribution of relief in Bangladesh.
Highly reliable reports received from across the border indicated that this was yet another sinister design to utilize relief materials for its agents and collaborators. The reports said that West Pakistani officers were being appointed to these posts.
To mention a specific instance Radio Pakistan said in a recent announcement that the President of Pakistan said in a recent announcement that the President of Pakistan was pleased to remove Justice B. A. Siddiky from the Chairmanship of the Pakistan Red Cross and that the post would be filled by a West Pakistani industrialist.
Another report said that trucks, helicopters, coastal vessels and other vehicles sent by different countries to facilitate distribution of relief materials had become “Instruments of oppression” in the hands of the Pak Army.
The New Zealand Prime Minister Mr. Keith Holyoake announced today that a Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft will be made available to transport relief supplies to the Bangladesh refugees in India according to a New Zealand High Commission Press release, says UNI.
Air New Zealand and Air India have already taken to India 12 tons of intravenous solution for the treatment of cholera, the Prime Minister said.
The New Zealand branch of the “Save the Children Fund” is sending nine tons of milk powder, 60 cartons of powdered soup and supplies of penicillin. The release said.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 24.06.1971