Billy’s Mail Box
Dear Billy, In a letter published in your mail box in the Djakarta Times of May 14. Mr. Hamid Jalim has suggested that Pak Adam Malik should consider sending some relief for Bengali refugees in India. The United Nations team which recently visited bordering East Pakistan to survery the extent of suffering and requirements of the refugees, acepted 2.6 million Bungali refugees in India. As the atrocities of West Pakistani army continue, more refugees pour into India, every day. This is the biggest refugee problem in the human history. The problem is gigantic and beyond the control of India or a few countries. The UN must send massive aid. Other nations must also do their bit. Our government never lacked behind in responding to humanitarian cause. Indonesia sent help to Pakistan during the last two natural disasters in East Pakistan. The present man-made disaster has no parallel and has affected the entire 75 million people in East Pakistan. Unfortunately, we canot do anything for the unfortunate Bengalis within East Pakistan as Gen. Yahya Khan’s government seems to be pleased with the situation and opposes any outside help on the plea of Internal affair. All civilised countries must however do something spontaneously and quickly to alleviate monumental.. and sufferings. Our government should some relief whatever may be its extent for Bengali refugees either directly to India or through UN agencies and encourage voluntary organisations here to follow suit.
Yours sincerely,
SOEBENO
Djt. Pedjomponsan, Berane
DJAKARTA
Reference : The Djakarta Times, 01.06.1971