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New York Times, USA, March 31, 1971
Acting "in the name of God and a united Pakistan," forces of the West Pakistan-dominated military government of President Yahya Khan have dishonored both by their ruthless crackdown on the Bengali majority seeking a large measure of autonomy for their homeland in the
country's eastern region.
Any appearance of "unity" achieved by vicious military attacks on unarmed civilians of the kind described by correspondents and diplomats who were in the East Pakistani capital of Dacca when the crackdown began cannot possibly have real meaning or enduring effect. The brutality of the Western troops toward their "Moslem brothers" in the East tends only to confirm the argument of the outright secessionists in Bengal who argue that differences between East and West Pakistan are irreconcilable.
Although this is a domestic dispute, the struggle in Pakistan could have dangerous international consequences, especially if a prolonged period· of guerrilla warfare ensues. The least the world community can do
at this stage is to call on President Yahya, in the name of humanity and common sense, to stop the bloodshed and restore Sheik Mujibur Rahman to his rightful role as elected leader of his people.
The United States, having played a major role in training and equipping Pakistan's armed forces, has a special obligation now to withhold any military aid to the Yahya Government. Economic assistance should be continued only on condition that a. major portion be used to help bind up East Pakistan's grievous wounds.
Acting "in the name of God and a united Pakistan," forces of the West Pakistan-dominated military government of President Yahya Khan have dishonored both by their ruthless crackdown on the Bengali majority seeking a large measure of autonomy for their homeland in the
country's eastern region.
Any appearance of "unity" achieved by vicious military attacks on unarmed civilians of the kind described by correspondents and diplomats who were in the East Pakistani capital of Dacca when the crackdown began cannot possibly have real meaning or enduring effect. The brutality of the Western troops toward their "Moslem brothers" in the East tends only to confirm the argument of the outright secessionists in Bengal who argue that differences between East and West Pakistan are irreconcilable.
Although this is a domestic dispute, the struggle in Pakistan could have dangerous international consequences, especially if a prolonged period· of guerrilla warfare ensues. The least the world community can do
at this stage is to call on President Yahya, in the name of humanity and common sense, to stop the bloodshed and restore Sheik Mujibur Rahman to his rightful role as elected leader of his people.
The United States, having played a major role in training and equipping Pakistan's armed forces, has a special obligation now to withhold any military aid to the Yahya Government. Economic assistance should be continued only on condition that a. major portion be used to help bind up East Pakistan's grievous wounds.
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