Speech #920150009

I would have hoped that almost 25 years of independence and political. diplomatic. commercial. and social intercourse with other nations of the world would have tempered to some degree the centuriesold jealousies and distrust that have characterized the subcontinent. but recent events in East Bengal make it abundantly clear that the old order changeth little. It is relevant to ask what. if anything. the United Statescan do to persuade the antagonists to cease and desist and go about the humanitarian business of alleviating the unspeakable misery of millions of human beings engulfed in the conflict. We have already given much. both unilaterally and through the United Nations. in the way of food. clothing. and medical supplies for refugees on both sides of the East Bengal border. We have tried and even now are trying. through our diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Islamabad. to persuade India and Pakistan to stop shooting and start talking. but this can be achieved only if there are goodwill and a genuine desire to do so on both sides. I am very much afraid that these two elements are missing.