Bangladesh Newsletter
No. 14
December 10, 1971
SOME RECENT EDITORIAL
Newspapers of international repute have been repeatedly urging the world to take note of the continuous repression of the people of Bangladesh by a savage occupation army. So far governments big and small, either found it convention to keep their attention away from the horrifying events or saw it a suitable occasion to sequeeze out a better bargain in the global configuration for their own comforts. We are presenting in this column extracts from some recent editorials.
The New York Times, commenting on Mrs. Gandhi’s search for ‘some wise impulse’, wrote on November 13… “What the subcontinent desperately needs is a strong international pressure on Islamabad to reach a political settlement in the rebellious eastern province a settlement that will facilitate the speedy repatriation of the refugees, now threatening India’s economic, social and political stability”…
The Washington Post urged the same policy in its editorial on November 18 : “The key to ending the violence, repression and refugee exodus in East Pakistan has always been for Pakistan to free Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A Bengal from the East, he led the Awami League to victory in national elections last March, only to be arrested as the Pakistan regime prevented him from taking power. It’s a genuine misfortune that as far as anyone could see, President Yahya Khan has not had the insight or political leeway (both are essential) to free Mujibur and to undertake to make a political settlement with him”…
Again in another editorial the New York Times wrote (November 22) :…“There is no question that the humanitarian needs of the East Bengalis, both those who have fled and those who have remined behind despite brutal military repression, have a heavy claim on the conscience of mankind…In order to deal effectively with the humanitarian needs of the Bengalis it will be necessary to attack the root of the problem—the political crisis in Pakistan. It is essential to press for a political solution in East Pakistan that will put an end to the fighting there and permit the refugees to return in safety…If the U.N. is to play an effective role for peace and rehabilitation on the subcontinent, the world organization must throw its weight behind mounting international pressures on Pakistan’s President Yahya Khan to reach an accomodation with the elected leaders of East Pakistan, especially the imprisoned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman…”
In its November 23 editorial the New York Times wrote :..“The basic cause of the war threat to the subcontinent remains, however, the action of Presiden Yahya Khan to suppress the elected leaders of East Pakistan and to rule that province by armed terror. It was this brutal action that provoked the hoadling flight into India of East Pakistani refugees now said to number more than nine million…”
Washington Post editorial of November 24 :..“It’s (India Pakistan confrontation) a tragedy. But who can look at its immediate underlying cause, the Pakistan government’s repression of the East, and contend that it’s that worse than what came before? By the standard rules of the game of the nations, countries which practice atrocities on their own citizens are pretty much left alone to do it. It is only when they commit violence that spreads into anther country that the world community is enabled, or forced, to get into that act. The real wrong committed by the Pakistanis was to declare war on a group of their own citizens…”
In the editorial of November 25 the New York Times worte :…“Admittedly India is reacting to provocations that most other nations long ago would have found intolerable. The Yahya Government’s repression of a democratically endoresd autonomy movement in East Pakistan, resulting in a flood of nine million refugees into India (most of them Hindus), has posed a direct threat to India’s own democratic institutions and national security. The international community—and most conspicuously the United States Government—has been slow to recognize the extreme dangers of this situation, let alone to take steps to meet them. The United Nation has studiously side-stepped the central issue of Pakistani repression despite repreated warning from the Secretary General U Thant…
BANGLADESH INFORMATION CENTER
Because of the increased number of lobbyists who have come to Washington and the rapid expansion of the activities Bangladesh Info Center has moved to new larger quarters at 423 5th St. SE, Washington D.C. 20003 (202) 547-3873.
BANGLADESH CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
A national conference, under the title “Consultation on the American Response to Events in East Pakistan” was held in Washingto D.C. from November 10-12. The conference, organized primarily by the representatives of church groups (including the National Council of Churches, the Friends and the Unitarian Universalist Association) attracted about 100 interested public figures from many parts of the U.S. and Canada.
The lead speech was given by Senator Kennedy. In his brief address Kennedy criticized the U.S. policy and decried the terror which has reuslted in the daily deaths of 4300 children (Kennedy’s figure) in the refugee camps in India.
Another important address was delivered by Prof. Edward Dimock, Director of the South Asia Language and Area Center, University of Chicago. (Copies of Prof. Dimock’s scholarly address are available at the Bangladesh Information Center, 423 5th Street SE, Washington D.C. 20003).
State Department Director for Pakistan and Afganistan Bruce Laigen spoke extensively on U.S. policy but failed to provide any convincing defense for the administration policy. He gave strong assurances that the U.S. embassy in West Pakistan has convincing reason to believe that Mujib remains alive.
Mr. Mujahid Hossain, First Secretary of the Embassy of Pakistan, was scheduled to speak at the conference but after arriving in the hall he abruptly walked out after noticing the name of Mr. S.A.M.S. Kibria of the Bangladesh Mission on the program. (Pakistan Embassy later issued a condemnation of the conference.)
Mr. Enayet Karim addressed the conference on behalf of Bangladesh, following an address by Mr. Mahrajakrishna Rasgotra, Minister for Political Affairs, Embassy of India.
Rep. Peter Frelinghuysen, who recently returned from a tour of the refugee camps in India and the war-stricken areas of Bangladesh, made the final presentation of the conference. The conference, which was presided over by Dr. Homer Jack, Secretary General of the World conference of Religion for Peace, was co-sponsored by Harry Applewhite, Director for International Relations, Council for Christian Social Action, United Church of Chirst ; Robert Jones, Executive Director, Washington Office, Unitarian Universalist Association ; Dr. Allan Parrent, Department of International Affairs, National Council of Churches ; Edward Snyder, Friends Committee on National Legislation.
A LETTER FROM BANGLADESH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The following letter, dated November 4, 1971, had been addressed to all doctors by the general secretary of the Bangladesh Medical Association, U.K. (9A Wotton Road, London NW2, UK) after his return from Bangladesh :
Dear Colleague :
Conditions are very bad. There is a great shortage of drugs and warm clothing. In September the Commander-in-Chief visited the Hospital, and in October we had a visit from the Acting President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. A letter from the C-in-C to our President is enclosed. The C-in-C has endorsed our plan to set up 3 more hospitals, and even requested that we set up 10 more instead. The sooner we are able to do this, the greater will be our contribution to the fight for our country.
During the last two months we have given :
—medical and other help to the Mukti Bahini
—medical supplies (5,000 1 bs.)
—clothing (2,000 1 bs.)
We urgently request your help on the followin projects :
1. Dr. Mobin has been doing a treamendous job in establishing the first Bangladesh Hospital. He has been working there for almost six months. He must soon be replaced. We urge you to give three months time to serve in our Hospital. Contact us as soon as possible if you are willing to undertake this vitally needed work.
2. Please try to give us 10% of your salary. This can be easily arranged by bankers order.
3. As to drugs. Contact your local GPs and ask for donations of the free samples they receive regularly. Aspirins, cough mixtures antibiotics, tetanus toxoid, and anti malarials—all are needed.
4. The response to our appeal for clothing has been moderate. If the Mukti Bahini are not to die of cold, they must have the basic necessities. These can easily be supplies from the U.K. Knitted woollen squares, joined together, make very good blankets. Please help us with this.
5. Our mailing list does not include all the Bangladesh doctors in the U.K. and abroad. We would like to have complete support. Please make a personal effort to find out the names of doctors not already in the Bangladesh Medical Association and send them to us. We would also appreciate your notifying us immediately of changes in address.
Yesterday I received a letter from Bangladesh giving news of the Liberation Army. The Mukti Bahini have captured Chhatak and the Pakistan army has been forced to retreat to Sunamganj. Below is a confidential report of the Combined Military Hospital in Dacca giving details of casualties sustained by the Pakistani forces until July.
| Combined Military Hospital, Dacca Casualties up to 26.7.71. | |
| Total no. dead soldiers brought to hospital | 7,493 |
| Total no. soldiers fatally wounded | 5,643 |
| Total no, soldiers wounded | 4,830 |
| Total no. soldiers dead from snake bite | 147 |
| Mentally disabled soldiers subsequently transferred elsewhere | 246 |
| Total | 18,359 |
We have been vary active in arousing interest in the British community in our projects, and may establish a medical aid committee along the lines of “Medical Aid to Vietnam”. We will try to be in touch with you every 4-6 weeks.
It is essential that Bengalis not directly involved in the Liberation Struggle help in their individual capacities. Without physicians and drugs our fighters cannot survive. We can and must help them.
Yours Sincerely,
A. T. M. Zafrullah Chowdhury
General Secretary
A LETTER FROM THE MUKTI HABIHI COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TO THE PRESIDENT OF BANGLADESH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
To
Dr. A.H.S. Rahman
President,
Bangladesh Medical Association
Oct. 13, 1971
Dear Dr. Rahman,
I am taking the opportunity of Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s temporary return to U.K, to write and thank you and, through you, the Bangladesh Medical Association for making Drs. Zafrullah and Mobin available to organize hospitals in the field for the Bangladesh Forces (Mukti Bahini) and for the Medical equipment and medicines. So far they have organized one hospital in the Field which I was very impressed with. It promises to be a good hospital even though accommodated in bamboo huts.
I need hardly add that we look forward to your sustained interest and efforts in providing us with medical facilities and equipment which I have no doubt will be properly utilized, under Dr. Zafrullah’s dedicated care.
Yours sincerely
M.A.G. Osmany
PARTICIPATE IN THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE : HELP MUKTI BAHINI
If you are a doctor, Mukti Bahini need your experience and skill. You can serve in the Mukti Bahini hospitals for three months. Dr. Zillur Rahman Athar M.D. (808 Hillwood Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209, Phone : (615) 356-3912) is coordinating the medical efforts in North America and maintaining liason with the Bangladesh Medical Association in England. Write to him to facilititate the preparation of a rotating roaster of doctors available for Mukti Bahini hospitals. You may also establish direct contact with the Medical Association in England (9A Wotton Road, London NW 2, U.K.)
Please send medicines, winter clothes and/or cash to Mukti Bahini. For information regarding free air transportation of medicines and the channels to send money to Mukti Bahini contact Dr. Muhammad Yunus (500 Pargon Mills #B-7, Nashville, TN 37211, Phone (615) 833-3064).
POETRY READING BY GINSBERG AND VOZNESENSKY
New York : For the fisrt time, Allen Ginsberg and Andrei Voznesensky, the distinguished Russian poet, will give a poetry reading together. The reading to be held on Saturday, November 20th, at 7 p.m., at St. George’s Church, 207 E. 16th Street, is intended to raise the public level of consciousness about the problem of Bangladesh and what the American people can do to alleviate it.
To quote Mr. Ginsberg, who has recently returned from a tour of the refugee camps in India :
Millions of brothers in woe,
Millions of sisters nowhere to go,
Millions of children in the rain,
Millions of mothers in pain—
September flood over Jessore road.
Joining them will be Kenneth Koch, Ed Sanders, Gregory Corso, Peter Orlovsky, Anne Waldman, Michael Brownstein, Dick Gallup, and Ron Padgett.
The reading is sponsored by Americans for Bangladesh, a group of concerned citizens working to educate the public about Bangladesh and to raise relief funds for Bangladesh.
POETRY READING IN ENGLAND
Glenda Jackson, the actress, read a Bengali poem as well as passages from Shakespeare and Yeats at s Sadlers Wells Theatre concert on November 14, 71 to raise funds for refugees from Bangladesh. Bengali artists included wellknown folk singers and Birender Shankar, nephew of Ravi Shankar, the eclebrated sitar player.
BANGLADESH ALL ACTIVITIES AROUND THE U.S.
San Fransisco Bay Area
Dr. A.R. Mallick and Dr. A. Hoque, members of the Bangladesh delegation to the U.N, spoke to a gathering of approximately 250 students and faculty of Stanford University on November 2. The American League for Bangladesh organized an elaborate publicity campaign for the rally in the community and on campus. The Stanford Daily and the local Palo Alto Times gave good coverage of the event. Immediately preceeding the rally the visitors addressed a group of local newsmen. In the news conference the visitors explained the nature of the liberation struggle in Bangladesh. Repeatedly they stressed the fact that the 75 million people of Bangladesh are fighting to be free from an enemy whose nature is facist and whose tactics are medieval. The rally was opened by Joan Baez’s song on Bangladesh followed by opening remarks by the chairman of the American League for Bangladesh. He pointed out to the gathering how another poor and populous country in South Asia become the victim of Mr. Nixon’s generation of peace.
In this opening speech, Dr. Mallick dealt with the background of the genocidal war in Bangladesh. He told the rally that the 75 million Bengalis of Bangladesh are fighting a true and genuine liberation struggle. Their struggle is for life against death. He exposed the brutal and medieval character of the Pakistani regime. The enemy is waging a war for the extermination of a people.
Following Dr. Mallick, Dr. Hoque spoke to the assembly. He gave an eyewitness account of his experiences and told the rally that despite heavy odds, the liberation struggle is forging ahead and the victory of the Mukti Bahini, Bangladesh peoples army, is inevitable. At the end of the rally, Mrs. Hubert Marshall, spokesman for the Stanford Women for Peace, made a scathing attack on the Nixon administration for its complicity in the genocide in Bangladesh.
In addition to Stanford campus the visitors also spoke in U.C. Berkeley and Santa Cruz. They appealed to the citizens to help stop all aid to the repressive and brutal regime in Pakistan.
Santa Cruz, California :
At a meeting of the students and faculty of the University of California at Santa Cruz on November 10, it was decided to organize a campus group called “Friends of Bangladesh,” with Chris Maier and Evelyn Lee as coordinators and Professor Dilip Basu as advisor. The group intends to educate the campus and local communities on the Bangaldesh issue, through leafleting, lectures, teach-in, filmshows etc. Students were urged to mail some pertinent literatur to their parents, asking them to contribute toward refugee relief and write to their congressmen and senators. Two hundred and fifty students signed up to fast on Novemebr 18 as a gesture of soldarity with Bangladesh and contribute their meal tickets to refugee relief.
East Lansing, Michigan
Arrangements are in progress for fast on December 1, 1971, in 16 Dormitories, 20 sororities, 30 fraternities and 13 coop housing. Proceeds from the fast will go to help the refugees. Educational campaign on Bangladesh is continuing rigorously. Speakers from Bangladesh Association addressed meeting in several Darms and high schools on Bangladesh issue. There was a short TV appearance in the local TV appealing for funds for the Bengali refugees. On November 14, Rev Warren Day and Mr. S. Poddar from Lansing Area Committee for Emergency Refugee Fund had 15 minute radio Program about the conditions of refugees and causes leading to this gravest human disaster. All Lansing area Presbyterian Churches collected funds in their churches on November 21, to help the refugees.
Dewitt, Michigan
The Lions Club of Dewitt—Lansing invited the Presdent of Bangladesh Association, Michigan State University to speak to its meeting on November 18, 1971. He spoke in the meeting on the Bangladesh issue and appealed for funds and winter clothes. Literature and leaflets were also distributed.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
On the 22nd of November about 1000 students of the South Quadrangle of the University of Michigan observed a fast to donate their money for the Bangladesh refugees. In the evening a mass meeting and a cultural show was organized for the fasting students. Mr. Rod Huber and Mr. Hank Haitowit spoke on the situation in Bangladesh. Miss Sheron Lower and Miss Indu Malini performed Bengali dances to the tune of Tagore songs presented by Miss Beth Lingdberg, Mr. Ashok Talwar and Mr. and Mrs. Raza. The program was produced and conducted by Mr. Peter Hook and Miss Sneholata Deeksheet. The fast was organized by Mr. Bart Taub.
A weekly Bangladesh information desk at the university, center distributes materials on Bangladesh situation under the management of a sub-committee chairman Miss Terry Cline.
Urbana, Illinois
Bangladesh Association at the University of Illinois took part in a panel discussion sponsored by the local cosmopolitan club. Mr. Mohammad H. Mondal and Mr. Rabbani of the Association and Dr. M. Rahman of Eastern Illinois University at Charleston, Ill. spoke on the background of the tragedy in Bangladesh and the future of Bangladesh. The association is presenting a film in the fisrt week of December to raise funds. A drive for collection of winter clothes for the Mukti Bahini is in progress.
ARMS FOR PAKISTAN
Two recent reports from the daily Telegraph (November 10, 13) reveal a flow of British and German arms through illegal channels. British equipment has included tanks, air-craft and guns ; it was shipped by way of Las Palmas through Pakistan ships. Britain officials expressed puzzlement. These secret shipments may have originated from weapons ostensibly discarded as scrap. Spare parts for U.S. M-47 tanks are involved in the West German leak of arms. There are suspicions that bribes have been paid to officials to camouflage deliveries of live equipment and spare parts as ‘demilitarized’ equipment sold by the Bundeswehr at scrap prices.
BANGLADESH NEWS DIGEST
November 11 :
N.Y. Times
Reporting from a “guerrilla hamlet” in East Bengal, Malcolm Browne sends a detailed dispatch : “This guerrilla hamlet, in common with many rural communities in the deltaic flood plain of East Pakistan is a good 20 miles from the nearest road or footpath. It is accessible only through a maze of shallow canals clogged with water plants and offering innumerable positions for ambushing intruders…Guerrillas in ‘liberated zones like this one feel completely secure display Bangladesh posters and portraits of the imprisoned Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman…As a rule of thumb, foreign diplomats and military observers consider that about a quarter of the region is controlled by the guerrillas, who claim a force of at least 100,000 men. But even in the heart of army occupied territory Pakistan Control is tenous…(End) guerrilla officer explained that local units were organized in 40-men platoons comprising 4 squads of 10 men each…”
“Communications between guerrilla districts are said to be rapid and reliable…‘Broadly speaking’, a guerrilla surgeon said, ‘we are organized in three levels, we have a sabotage unit which works mainly against power lines, bridges, railroads, vital services in cities and, of course, all military and police organizations. Second, we have the guerrillas, who ordinarilly confine themselves to small-unit actions. Each liberated village trains its own guerrilla force, and usually we have instructors from the former East Pakistan police, the East Bengal Regiment or the East Pakistan rifles. Third, we have the front fighters—our divisional units, which will fight the final battles with large units of the Pakistan Army. So far, the guerrillas have done most of the work…”
“Generally speaking the officers and men show little interest in politics and reply vaguely when asked about their objectives. A Captain gave a typical response, saying : “Bangladesh will be a democracy. We
hear talk about Maoist leaders taking over the movement, but as far as we are concerned that is nonsense. For all of us the idea is to create an independent, democratic Bengali State. The details we can work out after the victory.
November 12 :
L Times (Rawalpindi)
The Chinese seemed to have pressed caution on Yahya. Evidence suggests that the three main points put across to the Pakistan delegation were : (a) find a political solution to the East Bengal crisis : (b) on no account should India be attacked : (c) this was not the moment to raise the Indo-Pak conflict in the U.N. Security Council.
Guardian (Karachi)
Speaking at Lahore, Z.A. Bhutto asked India to exercise patience for two months until it could negotiate with a civilian govt. in Pakistan.
(Bonn)
The West German government is to give the U.N. a further 50 million marks to help East Bengal refugees and aid to India will be increased.
Daily Telegraph (Dacca)
Some units of the Pakistan Army who are not actually engaged in border warfare are showing signs of strain. Soldiers have been harassing shopkeepers and demanding goods for exceedingly low prices if not as gifts. The behavior of the troops is certainly worse than it was two months ago.
N.Y. Times (Agartala)
In the Kamalpur conflict the guerrillas have occupied a 12 sq mile area. Guerrilla sources also said that they had seized control of a 5 sq mile area at Salda Nadi and a 16 sq mile area that includes Kasba. In 3 weeks of fighting Kasba has changed hands five times. In the last engagement, a key guerrilla leader, Khaled Musharoff was wounded severely.
(Washington)
Alarmed by what one U.S. official called a “dramatic escalation of fighting” along the Indo-Pak border in the last few days, the U.S. has called on the two sides to avoid allout war.
Novemeber 13 :
Daily Telegraph (Karachi)
Addressing supporters at Karachi, Z.A. Bhutto warned that he would not tolerate any attempt to form an East Pakistan dominated govt. after next month’s by-elections. He declared : “we will topple it within 40 days”. Bhutto expects to head the government to be formed after the elections.
(Dacca)
Nurul Amin expects to be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. He has played a key role in forming a coalition of the 6 small perties which oppose Mujib. Because of his age and health, he is expected to have a dynamic deputy, either A.M. Malik or Mahmud Ali. Few observers expect Amin’s cabinet to satisfy Bangladesh supporters.
(London)
Guerrillas fired upon a Britain ship near Chalna, less than 48 hrs after a similar incident when a British freighter had been damaged forcing it to berth at Calcutta.
London Times (Bethberia)
Fred Bridgland reports that he watched about 400 refugees cross into India in about three hours across this area. According to his guide, the town is part of a liberated area of 100 square miles. A batch of 48 young Mukti Bahini said that they had led a group of over 1000 refugees on a trek from Barisal, taking 13 days to cover 155 miles.
Mafizul Islam, leader of the group, said that the Razakars and the Pakistan Army were making sweeps on villages in Suder sub-division at intervals of about three days. He said : “They are killing all the young men. They don’t ask questions whether you are Hindu of Muslim. What matters is whether you are a Bengali”.
Prafulla Nag, a refugee, said the Razakars and Pakistan Army were “taking away our women and looting and burning the villages”. Refugees from other districts also spoke of villages being burnt, women being abducted and young men killed, sometimes by being burned alive.
(Delhi)
According to informed sources, Indian contingency plans provide for complete isolation of East Bengal and West Pakistan by a naval blockage if war breaks out. This would imperil the supply line for the Pakistan Army in East Bengal since Pakistan ships would have to run a dangerous gauntlet around Indian naval bases along the western and eastern coastline.
(Rome)
M.H. Sufi, advisor to Yahya Khan, said that even though the agric. situation in East Bengal was “rather dismal, the food situation had been “under control and all talk of a disaster on the food front has been proved to be wrong”.
Wash Post (Delhi)
One effect of the anti-Hindu nature of Pakistan military occupation in East Bengal has been that extreme Hindu groups in India are demanding retribution to be taken of the Moslems in India.
Officials here stress a limit to how long India can bear the economic and social coasts of the present refugee situation. Most speak of a breaking point around January, at the latest in April.
N.Y. Times (Agartala)
Kasturi Rangan writes from Sector 3 head quarters of the Mukti Bahini, located on the border between East Bengal and Tripura : “Talking to the commandand and other leaders of the Mukti Bahini one gets the impression that their group in now fairly well organized along the lines of the Indian or Pakistani armies. Each sector commander is assigned a specific area to be liberated Sector 3 has jurisdiction over an area that stretches as far as Dacca. Among the recent guerrilla exploits in this sectors was the seizure of the town of Kasba, about 15 miles SW from here. The credit for liberating a 40 mile wedge near Belonia goes to Sector 1. So does the credit for the guerrilla activities in Chittagong port…Neither the rebel government nor its military commanders seems to direct the operation of the troops in the field. The sector commanders make all decisions. They draw up all plans and strategy”.
(Washington)
U.S. Secretary 01 State William Rogers urged “maximum restraint” on both India and Pakistan. He also said that in case of war, the U.S. “will do everything to stay out”.
November 14 :
Observer (Rawalpindi)
People are apprehensive, defiant, mournful. Awareness of the magnitude of the human disaster in East Bengal has penetrated West Pakistan by now, in spite of strict Press censorship.
A talk with Z.A. Bhutto showed that Pakistan can probably hope for little help from Peking in the event of war. Bhutto is an old hand at talking sympathetically to the Chinese, but he does not seem to have brought back the goods—if one is right in expecting them to include a defense paot, immediate military aid, a promise of air cover and manoeuvrings on India’s no border.
(Dacca)
U.S. aid officials said that guerrillas had damaged a U.N. ship carrying relief food grains. 4 Pakistan Army collaborators were reported shot dead by guerrillas as the latest victims in a series of killings during the past 24 hrs.
N.Y. Times (Delhi)
Both Pakistan and Indian troops have crossed into each other’s territory, with Indian troops entering in force on at least two occasions this month. Casualties on both sides are reported heavy.
Bengali guerrillas are making large-scale attempts to seize and hold sizable areas in East Bengal. They already hold some strategic areas but Pakistan has counterattacked with heavy artillery and mortar and with starfing by jets. Each time time guerrillas launch a major assault on Pakistan positions, the Pakistan shell their base camps, some in India. Pakistan in reported to have shelled civilian population centers on the Indian side.
Chicago Tribune (Calcutta)
Dr. John Seaman estimates that 500,000 children refugees may die from protein malnutrition by the end of the year. At least 100,000 are estimated dead already. Dr. Nevin Srimshaw, U.S. nutrition expert, estimates that 200,000 bebies will die unless prompt steps for relief are taken.
November 15 :
Daily Telegraph
Claire Hollingworth writes from a liberated zone 80 miles inside East Bengal : “On a tour of the area by boat and on foot—there are no roads in the region—no attempts were made to hide the presence of Mukti Fouj guerrillas. Everywhere the atmosphere was extremely relaxed and in 48 hours I did not hear a sound of a single shot fired in anger. Obviously, the 15,000 inhabitants have tremendous confidence in Bangladesh because they are reconstructing the ‘basha’ houses and repairing the damage to the embankments caused by the recent flood. Some schools are open and there is a clinic where minor ailments can be treated…The guerrilla’s morale is high despite a shortage of modern weapons and a chronic lack of ammunition. About 2,000 guerrillas are alreadey deployed in surrounding villages in readiness for decisive action. Much will depend on the supplies of ammunition they can obtain within the next few weeks.
London Times (Delhi)
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed flew to Delhi on a secret mission. There is talk of an Indo-Bangladesh friendship pact amounting to a defense pact.
Wash Post (Delhi)
For all the talk of increased world sympathy, Mrs. Gandhi returned with no commitments that hold the possibility of easing the crisis and the threat of an Indo-Pak war has not diminished. “In fact, Mrs. Gandhi’s trip may spell the enf of India’s belief that the problem can be solved through international diplomacy, “one will-informed source said.”
Christian Science Monitor (Dacca)
Writing about his travels within East Bengal, Henry Hayward says : “We saw no burned villages, no slain villagers. But then this is the secret war of East Pakistan. Officially it doesn’t exist. It’s always somewhere else. You don’t see it. You just hear about it—from ordinary frightened people with no reason to lie…”
“The evidence may be flimsy, hearsay, or far away. But too may humble people of East Pakistan risk great trouble for themselves to make sure you know…”
“A whisper, and a flat denial. Worried city men and toil-worn farmers with no organized program, against theword of urbane officials with a policy to pursue and statistics to back up what they say”.
“You take your choice in accepting or rejecting the very existence of this internecine war. Somehow you can’t help believing the little people. Their tale of terror is told too often to be always wrong.
Boston Globe (Boston)
Dr. Nevin Scrimshaw, Chairman of the U.N. Protein Advisory group and internationally know nutrition expert, asked the U.S. to stop all military and financial aid to Pakistan and to give greater assistance to India for refugee relief. He said that U.S. arms shipments had encouraged Pakistan to continue military repression and the continued flow of refugees into India.
November 16 :
London Times (Delhi)
Indian Defence Minister, Jagjivan Ram, hinted that the decision to recgonize Bangladesh had already been taken. He added that the announcement would be made at an appropriate time.
Toronto Globe & Mail (Karachi)
7 right-wing political parties agreed to form a United Coalition Party in the national assembly under the leadership of Nurul Amin. The coalition is expected to be the largest with 120 seats. Nurul Amin demanded that the Prime Minister be from East Bengal. Z.A. Bhutto, has said that an East Pakistani could be a Prime Minister only if a West Pakistani is President.
Wash Post (Dacca)
A U.S. missionary and 2 West German consular officials were killed in separate incidents near Dacca. The priest was shot and the diplomats were killed when their car hit a road mine.
Christian Science Monitor (Dacca)
Bengali guerrlla activity is hard at work spreding industrial and economic chaos, attacking power and communications facilities, harassing the army. The jute industry depends upon a remaining highly vulnerable power line. Jute farmers are being discouraged from sowing, shipping or selling their important expert crop. Loss is estimated at $130 million for fiscal 71-72 if the security situation grows noworse. Twenty million 1bs of tea are stuck in Sylhet district with the rail line being cut.
Urbanesupport for the Mukti Bahini is probably stronger than in the countryside where peasants are sympathetic with objectives but anxious not to get involved personally. With only a few Army battalions remaining in Dacca after dispersal of main forces to the borders, the city could swarm with Mukti if the organization so decreed, but they have apparently not yet been told to operate in strength. Included among liberated areas are said to be portions of Dacca district, Noakhali, Faridpur, Patuakhali, and Dinajpur.
N.Y. Times (Delhi)
A clash between Pakistan and Indian troops was reported at Shikarpur, where the guerrillas have a large base camp. India said that 4 Pakistan battalions had crossed into India for the raid.
November 17 :
London Times (Delhi)
According to the Indian Express, if the East Bengal crisis remained unsolved in the near future the Indian govt. would declared a national emergency, recognize Bangladesh, enter into a defense treaty with its government, and openly support the Liberation Front.
Informed sources confirm PM Tajuddin’s visit to Delhi. The meeting is understood to include discussions on a treaty incorporating a defensc pact. Impartial observers point to one remaining chance of breaking the deadlock : If Yahya can be persuaded to hand over power to a West Pakistan like Vice-Admiral Ahsan, former naval chief. Ahsan resigned as Governor of East Pakistan when told of the military plans in March.
Wash Post (Delhi)
Reports arrived here of Pakistan shelling of Agartala, fourth time in three weeks. Pakistan shelling and firing was also reported from Mahendraganj area of the Garo Hills district in Meghalaya.
N.Y. Times
In an interview here Rehman Sobhan has reported that Sheikh Mujib was seen about four weeks ago, “listless and feeble”, in a prison courtroom in Lyallpur, West Pakistan. The informant was a Bengali sent to Lyallpur to testify against Mujib. Sobhan also reported some resentment by Bangladesh leaders against U.S. efforts to seek a compromise between the Pakistan government and them. He said that the mission in Calcutta had been warned by the leadership against contacts with Americans who were said to be seeking to split the independence movement through elements willing to compromise on a complete breakaway from West Pakistan. The U.S. has approached both sides, according to U.S. govt. sources, but that no mediation was likely in the near future.
(Shekharnagar)
Malcolm Browne visited this town and writes : “A task force of West Pakistan troops visited this town of 8,000 on October 27 and destroyed it. Apparently informed—mistakenly, according are dying at a rate of 4,300 a day from malnutrition and other causes. Still another 10 million persons are homeless within East Bengal according to the staff.
The burden of 10 million refugees produced by West Pakistan’s “policy of genocide” has led India into thecurrent war with Yahya Khan’s regime, according to Kennedy.
A protracted war would perpetuate the “total distruption” of East Bengal’s transportation system, Kennedy said, leading to massive famine. Kennedy’s staff estimates, based on reports from United Nations and private agency observers, that a full-scale famine in East Bengal might take 10 million to 20 million lives. In 1943, wartime disruption of food supplies produced a famine that killed 5 million in East Bengal. Kennedy finds the United States heavily implicated in the potential tragedy, particularly because the United States continued until last month to ship military supplies to the Yahya Khan government.
“United States support of Pakistan during the crucial period materially contributed to the lack of international support for India’s attempt to cope with 11 million refugees”, Kennedy said. “And so, the situation has deteriorated”.
“He charged, “The bitter irony is that here we’ve talked so long about ‘self-determination’ in Vietnam
and the rest of Southeast Asia, while in Pakistan we are supporting a regime that is attempting to suppress and repress the process of self-determination”. Kennedy said that the “inevitable outcome” in Pakistan is victory by the Bengalis” either through a political settlement or through bloodshed”.
Kennedy said that the Bengali guerrilla force, the Mukti Bahini, “has on its side the real, constitutionally elected leaders. They are highly committed and dedicated. They have been bloodied. Their families have been victimized by the violence and terror. They have the manpower, the resources and the support to do the job”.
If there is no political settlement, Kennedy and his staff foresee not only millions of deaths due to famine and war, but an eventual bloodbath perpetrated by victorious Bengalis against their West Pakistani oppressors Potential victims of Mukti Bahini vengeance include 70,000 Pakistani troops stationed in East Bengal ; several thousand razakars, home guards drawn from right-wing religious parties and responsible for widespread atrocities, and some 1 million Bihari moslems, ethnically and politically related to the Punjabis of West Pakistan and separate from the Bengalis.
Kennedy said that the United States should “deplore the repressive acts of the Pakistani Army, exercise whatever influence we can to bring about a political solution and work to alleviate the humanitarian problem in India and East Bengal.
“The East Bengalis have only asked for our neutrality. I’d give them that and our sympathy. And I’d give the efforts of the United States government to end the violence”, he said.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE A PEOPLE
An urgent strategy session of the active individuals and organizations to discuss national strategy to launch the people-to-people campaign was held in Lansing, Michigan December 3-5. The goal of the campaign is to find ten million Americans who will agree to give 33 a day for the next six months or $10 per month for six months to “adopt” one refugee child, mother or father and make the commitement to save just one life.
The conference, organized and hosted by the East Pakistan Emergency Relief Fund, was attended by the representatives of the Bangladesh Emergency Welfare Appeal, Bangladesh Defense League, Bangladesh Information Center, OXFAM, Action Pakistan, Student World Concern, Project Relief and International Rescue Committee. Rep. Paul N. McCloskey (R-Calif.) addressed the conference and pledged his support to the campaign. He announced that he and his family of four children will omit one meal a week for the next six months and contribute the money saved to the Bangladesh refugees. McCloskey, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, said he will send a letter to all other members of Congress inviting them to join in the fast on one meal every Wednesday.
AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION CONDEMNS PAKISTAN
The 70th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association held in New York from November 18-20 in a resolution condemned “the Government of West Pakistan and her act of unprecedented tyranny on the helpless masses of Bangladesh”. The meeting also declared “the mass killing of the West Pakistani Government as a genocide” and appealed “to all peace-loving people of the world to bring it to the notice of their own governments and to advise their governments to come forward in aid on humanitarian grounds to help the suffering millions”.
PLEASE NOTE
1. “Recognize Bangladesh” buttons and “Help Bangladesh” bumper stickers are available at the Bangladesh information Center, 423 5th St. SE, Washingto D.C. 20003. Also available : Bangladesh slides and Greeting cards.
2. Please write to your congressmen and senators to support the resolutions introduced in the Congress to extend U.S. recognition to Bangladesh. Also urge your friends to do the same.
3. Bangladesh will require enormous amount of money for the reconstruction of its economy and rehabilitation of the refugees and the uprooted population. Please continue your efforts to this end.
4. Keep you local citizens informed about the situation in Bangladesh. For distribution materials write to :
Friends of East Bengal
Box 42, Sta B
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37203
5. This issue of the Bangladesh Newsletter is being mailed on Tuesday December 14. If it takes too much time to reach you send us $3.00 (Editor, Bangladesh Newsletter, 500 Paragon Mills Rd #B-7 Nashville TN 37211)
we’ll send it to you by first class mail.
Issued by
BANGLADESH DEFENSE LEAGUE
5245 South Kenwood Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois. 60615
Editorial Office : 500 Paragon Mills #B-7, Nashville, TN 37211 (615)833-2064