KENNEDY WARNS OF DEATHS OF MILLIONS IN E. PAKISTAN
Calls for Immediate Relief
India and Pakistan Accept Swiss Offer for mediation Senator Edward Kennedy, warned Tuesday of a possible “nightmare of death for millions” in East Pakistan unless a concerted relief effort were mounted.
Opening witness at the first congressional hearing on the East Pakistan situation since civil strife broke out there in March, Senator Kennedy charged that nothing but inertia was preventing a meaningful relief effort led by the United States.
The Massachusetts Democrat told the House of Representatives Foregn Affairs Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs that official reports received by U.S. Government officials indicated that a current food shortage in East Pakistan was expected to develop into an acute situation within a month.
“The precarious situation which exists today will evolve into a nightmare of death for millions unless immediate and concerted efforts are made to meet the needs of the people involved”, he declared.
We are involved
Senator Kenedy said that “in the name of neutrality, some in our Govvernment say we must not be involved in East Pakistan today”.
American weapons had been used by the West Pakistan forces. American aid had helped East Pakistan’s development for more than a decade, and President Nixon and other administration officials were now involved in discussions with Pakistan officials for even more aid, he said.
“So we are involved. The only question is what this involvement will be”.
U.S. aid
The United States will provide up to 2,500,000 dollars (1,040,000 sterling) in food and other assistance as an initial American contribution to relief efforts for East Pakistanis who have reached the Indian side of the border in West Bengal, using the distribution facilities of Care. Catholic relief services and the Combined Church World Service, Lutheran World Federation.
On the Indian side of the border, representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees are handling relief and at the request of the Indian Government and are developing a plan for international action.
Reference : The Djakarta Times, 13.05.1971