Speech #920089569

I have no doubt that as long as the Pakistani Government retains the military capacity to suppress the people of East Pakistan it will continue to do so regardless of the consequences. In addition I would emphasize that each day this war continues the danger to the peace and stability of the entire Indian subcontinent increases. Saddled with 7 million refugees. the Indian Government is urgently seeking an early end to the conflict. an objective which further U.S. aid to Pakistan can only hinder. We must not underestimate or ignore either the extreme plight of these refugees nor the potential threat they pose to the stability of the Government of India. Remember that there are 7 million refugees. a figure which equals onetenth of the prewar population of East Pakistan. Almost all of them are huddled in the already impoverished and politically unstable state of West Bengal. easily the most volatile area of India. Torn by political disagreement the Government and people of West Bengal are in no position to care for them. Calcutta. the capital city of West Bengal and the largest city in India is already on the edge of complete collapse. and a large migration of refugees could well tip the balance. These people are in the most desperate situation imaginable. Lacking shelter. medical care. and food. they have not only seen their families and friends butchered by Pakistani Government troops but have suffered through a cholera epidemic as well.