'US role in 1971 B'desh independence war tragic mistake'

Last Updated: Thursday, September 03, 2009, 12:57

Tags: US, role, 1971, Bangladesh, independence, war, mistake, US

Dhaka: America's role in opposing the 1971 emergence of Bangladesh was a "tragic mistake", a top US envoy has said.

"Senator Kennedy helped my country to correct the mistake back in 1971 and we expressed that by quickly recognising Bangladesh," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said while speaking at a memorial meeting on Edward Kennedy at the Liberation War Museum here yesterday.

"I think we expressed that view by very quickly recognising Bangladesh after the end of the war. I think you all will recall that we were one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh," Moriarty said.

The then US administration under President Richard Nixon and secretary of state Henry Kissinger sided with Pakistani military junta during the nine-month Liberation war, crucially backed by India.

The US media largely, several influential US senators including Kennedy widely supported the Bangladesh’s cause when Washington preferred to support Pakistan as Kissinger was engaged in a reconciliation dialogue with Communist China with active mediation of Islamabad.

Several state department officials in Washington, Dhaka and New Delhi too tended to support Bangladesh but several of them was exposed to wraths of Kissinger while one of them Archar Blood, the then US consular general in Dhaka eventually lost his career for his role in support of Independence struggle at that time.

But Moriarty said his country now wanted to look at each country individually and "We don't look at you as a former part of Pakistan or Bangladesh and Pakistan as former parts of India".

Recalling Kennedy's visit to refugee camps in West Bengal, Moriarty said Kennedy drew the attention of the world to the humanitarian disaster for the first time.

"Senator Kennedy's visit and continued support for Bangladesh's independence has a great impact on public opinion. I have no doubt that his efforts led to the early recognition of Bangladesh by the US," Moriarty added.

He said Ted Kennedy's visit to Dhaka in February 1972 was one of the first visits to an independent Bangladesh by an international leader.

"The events, as we have seen this week, bonded Ted Kennedy with the people of this country in a deep way and Senator Kennedy will live on in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh," Moriarty said.

Bureau Report

First Published: Thursday, September 03, 2009, 12:57

Comments

revin - kerala
history has always gone2 prove that the yanke``s have been the most untrusworthy race among the whole human races.they have only their selfish intrests 2care.closely following them r d communists chinese,they even ditched their paki pals during the bangla liberation war of 1971.as 4 as the poor pakis they kept on waiting 4 their american & chinese frnds 2 help them out,OH GOD PLZ GIV THE PAKIS SOME BRAINS,IF THEY STILL TRUST THEIR AMERICAN MASTERS AND COMMUNIST FRNZ

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Rahul - New York
This Time USA going to play INDIA vs PAKISTAN...............USA clearly knows that Pakistan is backed by CHINA & TURKEY...................and INDIA have support of RUSSIA ,IRAN.............USA is playing dirtiest game now in subcontinent.
For God Sake, understand real enemey. Pakistan `ve nothing to do with India......We have small issue which can be solved with dialogue. All this bloody terrorisim & Jihadis have only one reason KASHMIR. When we don`t have any dispute than we can lead the World. About USA...............AAP KI DUSHMNI QABOOL MUJAY.............AAP KI DOSTI SE DARTA HOON........Rahul NY

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Aslam - Baloochistan
US should correct the mistake and support for the independence of Baloochistan. Recognize Baloochistan as a independent nation. FREE Baloochistan

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Aslam - Baloochistan
US should correct the mistake and support for the independence of Baloochistan. Recognize Baloochistan as a independent nation. FREE Baloochistan

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JK - Barbil
We can expect the following comments from some visiting USA officials of India ``It was the mistake committeed by some of our former presidents to support Pakistan we want to correct the mistake hence we will not support Pakistan, in case, if there is a wat between India and Pakistan``. USA wants the Asian countries should fight with each other and destabilise. Only amongst the poor nations, USA can hold their leadership. USA never wants either India, China or Pakistan should flourish. It is the right time to understand the real purpose of USA in their support and opposition to countries and may God enough wisdom to our leaders to understand it and act for the benefit of their respective countries and the mankind in toto.