Congressional Record

I appreciate very much the opportunity to be here this afternoon-because, as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Refugee, I share your deep concern for the victims of natural disaster and civil war In East Pakistan. I am hopeful these hearings will contribute toward a better understanding of the undeniable problems which exist in relieving this basically humanitarian problem. And I am also hopeful that the hearings will underscore the urgent need to further encourage the initiatives underway to meet the needs of the Bengali people.

Official reports from our government and elsewhere express very serious concern about the condition of the people In East Pakistan. These reports say that within a month the condition of the people will become acute . 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.

Although reports from East Pakistan suggest that violence has subsided considerably, reports also indicate that feelings are tense between the people and the army or the central government. In fact official reports to our government suggest that the great bulk of the population is alienated, perhaps forever. Regrettably, this can only complicate, and perhaps delay, the organizing of a meaningful relief program, and the solving of those political problems which generated the recent violence.

Moreover, reports also indicate that the army effectively controls only the cities and towns, and that throughout most of the countryside, government administration and services do not exist. The transportation and distribution of available foodstocks and medical supplies are at a standstill-even in the area struck by the cyclone last fall, where conservative estimates say a million persons have been solely dependent for their survival on effective relief operations. Food reserves - not confiscated by the army- are very low..

The tragedy finally has now spilled over into India which so far has found it necessary to give asylum to nearly 2,000,000 refugees of whom at least 520,000 are in camps. The recent daily influx into India has reportedly been some 50 000. The State Department Informs me that the influx will continue at a high level at least until the beginning of the monsoon in a few weeks when both military operations and travel will become more difficult. The continuing heavy influx of refugees into India is a stark reminder of how bad conditions have become In East Pakistan.

Over the last month I have repeatedly communicated my concern in these matters to officials in the Department of State and elsewhere in an effort to encourage and support reasonable initiatives by our government and the international community to help meet the urgent political and humanitarian problems in East Pakistan. I have strongly believed these initiatives should be taken through the United Nations.

On the humanitarian problems at least some progress is being made.

On the Indian side of the border and at the invitation of the Indian government representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are currently assuming relief needs and developing a plan of international action. According to a communication I received from the Department of State this morning our government has authorized up to $2.5 million in food and other assistance as our initial contribution to the international relief effort. While the UNHCR effort is being organized the U.S. is providing emergency food assistance for 217000 refugees in West Bengal. The food assistance is being distributed by CARE Catholic Relief Services and Church World Service/Lutheran World Federation.

Far less progress in meeting relief needs is being made In East Pakistan. Initiating an adequate relief program Is undoubtedly being hampered for a number of good reasons- but on the basis of talks I have had the primary cause may very well be a simple lack of candor in recognizing the vast dimension of human need brought on by the conflict. Let us not quibble over how we label the situation. Whether we call it a minor disturbance a disaster or an emergency-the threat of mass starvation puts a heavy obligation for action on the government of Pakistan and the international community.

In the name of neutrality some in our government say we must not be involved In East Pakistan today. But we are involved. Our weapons have been involved in the violence. Our aid has contributed to East Pakistan¹s development for more than a decade. And today our government at the highest levels is involved in discussions for even more aid. So we are involved. The only question is what this involvement will be. At this point it must be humanitarian-aid that will heal and rehabilitate not further divide and destroy.

In this connection I strongly urge that our government leave no stone unturned- especially this week when high level representatives of the Pakistan government are present in Washington-in supporting current efforts by the United Nations to organize a relief program within East Pakistan. Since the last week in April representatives of UNICEF the U.N. development program and the World Food Program have traveled to Dacca to ascertain relief and logistical needs.

Moreover representatives of the Paklstani government have assured me of their government s willingness to accept humanitarian aid and personnel through U.N. channels and private voluntary organizations. Thus there is nothing but inertia to prevent a meaningful relief effort.

Solving the political and humanitarlan crisis in East Pakistan is first of all Pakistan¹s task. But in this effort there is scope enough for all the energy and charity that the emergency of the civil war has called forth among Amerlcans and peoples throughout the world. And so today as an individual concerned above the dignity and preservation or the ultimate resources on our planet I appeal to the leaders of Pakistan to the leaders of other countries and to our own government to support immediately a mercy mission and airlift into areas of need. And hopefully the appeal or the Indian government for assistance to meet refugee needs within her borders will also receive the sympathetic response by all concerned.

We are conditioned in this world we have created to accept suffering and injustice- especially in our time when violent conflict and oppression are active in so many areas But the newer world we seek will not evolve if we ignore these challenges to leadership and take comfortable refuge In the mundane patterns and attitudes of the past.

In the case or East Pakistan-in the effort to help a people caught in the clutches of natural disaster and the passion of conflict - I cannot believe that governments stand paralyzed in the face of great tragedy. The situations must not be ignored. At stake are human lives-innocent lives - Pakistani lives - thousands even millions of lives whose destruction will burden the conscience or all mankind unless something is done to save them