asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the Government of Pakistan concerning the trial, welfare and life of Sheik Mujibur Rahman; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Pakistan.
10.
The answer to the first part of the question is "yes". As to the second part, I indicated in my statement at the United Nations General Assembly on 7th October, that we strongly endorsed the Secretary-General's view that the basic problem of East Pakistan can be solved only if a political solution based on reconciliation and the respect of humanitarian principles is achieved.
11.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to persuade Governments to terminate all military deliveries and all economic aid to Pakistan until such time as there is an end to military operations in East Pakistan; and what steps have been taken in the UN and elsewhere to channel all possible resources for famine relief in East Pakistan and to assist India in supporting the millions of refugees who fled there from Pakistan.
I have taken no steps in the sense indicated in the first part of the Deputy's question. As regards the second part, the United Nations estimate that the total contributed by the international community for the East Pakistan refugees in India is more than 200 million dollars and that the total for relief in East Pakistan itself is about 85 million dollars plus substantial quantities of foodstuffs from the United States.
When the relief estimate for East Pakistan was being discussed in the House, I asked the Minister whether he would be prepared to discuss with representatives of other countries what useful action might be taken in relation to the termination of military deliveries, et cetera. At that point the Minister promised he would consider entering into such discussions. Would the Minister now acting on his behalf state whether such discussions with a view to concerted action by likeminded countries are now proceeding at the UN or elsewhere?
They are proceeding.
The first part of the Deputy's question was replied to in the negative. Does the Minister not consider it to be of the utmost importance that this nation use all the influence it has at the United Nations to attempt to have stopped the flow of arms into Pakistan and in some way help to organise a diminution of economic aid to Pakistan until some form of solution to their problem is reached?
This House is agreed that this tragedy should be alleviated in some way and we are doing everything possible within our limited powers in the matter.
Why, then, have we not made any representations as yet?
I think Deputy Cruise-O'Brien will understand how Foreign Affairs operate generally but Deputy Byrne may not understand this. All the representations that can be made and that are proper to be made are being made.
12.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what relief measures have been undertaken by the Government regarding the human tragedy in East Pakistan.
The Deputy will recall that on 15th July, 1971, the Dáil approved Supplementary Estimates totalling £50,000 for special contributions towards international efforts for the relief of distress in India and in Pakistan resulting from the situation in East Pakistan. I mentioned in the debate that, in addition, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries was arranging for a special contribution of £50,000 to the world food programme for the same purpose.
I appreciate the Minister's difficulties in this and I appreciate, too, that the Government are making an effort. However, a certain number of people have been engaged in an unauthorised but well intentioned relief project in East Pakistan. I refer to the so-called Omega group. Two of the members of that organisation have been arrested and sentenced to rather long terms of imprisonment and I would like to ask whether the Government, semi-officially or otherwise, are making any approach for clemency in view of the humanitarian nature of the enterprise in which these young people were involved.
That is a separate question.
It is a separate question but in reply to the Deputy I can say that we are making representations.