To the Editor:

In his Nov. 3 letter, Benjamin Oehlert, a former Ambassador to Pakistan, gives an analysis of the, Indian attitude toward the crisis in Pakistan that totally avoids discussing the origin of the massive exodus of refugees into India. And like all Pakistani propagandists, Mr. Oehlert refuses to explain why tens of thousands of refugees are still coming into India daily and how in these conditions those who have found refuge in India would wish to go back to their homes.

They will only go back when conditions in East Pakistan have returned to normal and when those returning home can expect to live in safety and honor. Could anyone ask the refugees to go back to be killed? Would the Jews of Europe have gone back to Hitler's Germany because the Führer made suitable noises and the League of Nations sent some observers?

Normalcy will not return to East Bengal, until the military rulers of Pakistan come to terms with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the elected and accepted leaders of that region. Those who do not see this simple truth are responsible for creating much public mischief and confusion. India would welcome any United Nations attempts that could bring about a political, settlement negotiated with Sheikh Mujib and his elected colleagues; once such a solution has been found, refugees wilt stop coming and those already in India will go back, the burden on India will be greatly reduced and tension also should disappear.

India cannot bring about a political solution in Pakistan, In these circumstances, India's involvement in the measures Mr. Oehlert has outlined will fail to solve the Pakistan crisis—indeed, they will make it much worse. For then the outside world will be lulled into a belief that the problem is between India and Pakistan and that some steps are being taken to solve it.

Such an illusion will suit the military regime of Islamabad very well for it will then be even less inhibited in continuing military oppression of East Pakistan and send fresh and greater waves of refugees into India. Islamabad could then, without much notice by the international community, carry out more fully its policy of genocide and encourage the imposition of military colonial rule over 75 million Bengalis. The military regime could even hope that as a result of all these measures, the population of East Pakistan would be reduced to a point when it Will cease to be numerically superior to West Pakistan.

India has no intention of being a partner of Pakistan in committing these hideous crimes. India can and will cooperate even with such international initiatives as would do no harm but might do some good, but she will refuse steadfastly all proposals which she is certain will add more difficulties and tragedies to a situation which has been created entirely through the unbelievable lack of wisdom of the Pakistani rulers.

Did Mr. Oehlert suggest that Pakistan was doing wrong in moving troops to the frontiers and threatening war for several weeks And months? If President Yahya wished to withdraw troops from the frontiers, why did he send them there in the first instance? Did Mr. Oehlert protest and disapprove then?

Those who have studied the present proposal of President Yahya cannot fail to notice that it is entirely conditional on his deciding if the Indians are doing what he wishes theirs to do. If India accepts such a proposal, President Yahya will of course be happy because he will then have a free hand and succeed in involving India in his problem (which of course is the main purpose behind all his so‐called diplomatic initiatives); however, since he knows India will reject all such moves, he can at least present them to his friends as instances of Indian intransigence.

Samar Sen
New York, Nov. 5, 1971
The writer, India's Ambassador to the United Nations, was his country's High Commissioner to Pakistan 1966-1969