Speech #920155063

Some of them had come from the United States. others from Japan. and still others from Europe. The amount of food and medical supplies we have given is substantial. I kept making the point that the United States had contributed more to the relief of the refugees than all other foreign countries combined. I must say. however. that although India recognizes this and expresses its appreciation. there are limits to gratitude in a situation of this kind. Likewise. the economic aid we have given India Is recognized and acknowledged. Over the years. it has been by far the largest amount of aid India has received from any country. Yet here again. the gratitude that comes from programs of this kind fades away. at a moment of crisis. All that India can think about now is the dreadful plight of 10 million refugees. the imminence of war. the outrage over what the Government of Pakistan had done in turning its army upon its own people. and the terrible consequences that have flowed from the genocide practiced in East Pakistan. Also. Indians just cannot understand why. in the face of such a hideous tragedy. there has never been a single word of official condemnation or concern uttered by the Government of the United States. and. of course. they focus on those acts which in their minds indicate that we favor Yahya Khans military government in West Pakistan. such as our reluctance to cut off military and economic aid to Pakistan after the repression began. and the continuation of military transfers after we announced these had been cutoff.