Our Government has been sitting idly by while a democratically elected government and millions of its supporters have been systematically wiped out by the Pakistani Army. Have we not learned yet that the support of governments which repress the popular will of the people. ultimatelyand understandablywill drive the people into the arms of the Communiststhe very objective we claim we are trying to prevent. It was thus for both political and moral reasons that I strongly supported the positive step the House took in unequivocally suspending all military and economic aid to Pakistan until the President reports to the Congress that Pakistan is cooperating fully in allowing the situation in East Pakistan to return to reasonable stability and refugees from East Pakistan are permitted to the extent feasible to return to their homes and to reclaim their lands and property. At this point. I think it is important to mention that the Housepassed measure also calls for $100 million to provide assistance for the relief of refugees from the east and for humanitarian relief in the east itself. This is important not only from a humanitarian standpoint. but because it will help relieve the enormous burden that India has assumed of feeding. clothing. and housing 7.500.000 refugees. a burden that AID estimates will cost India $400 million for 6 months alone. Mr. Speaker. we cannot bring back to life the 200.000 dead East Pakistanis but if we speak out and deny our moral and material support to Pakistan. perhaps its military government may yet be forced to seek a political settlement acceptable to Bengals people.
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refugees