John Pilger - An Unfashionable Tragedy (2 of 3)

[4sureitsreal]

blaming religion for mans wickedness is akin with using food distribution or the lack of it as a weapon. Einstein once said only 2 things are limitless the universe and mans inhumanity to man and he wasnt too sure about the universe, it saddens me to see the state of some of my brothers and sisters around the world because of interfering gov/controllingnatutre/ignoran­ce/inhumanity 2 others, may god open your hearts to compassion rid ut heads of ignorance and grace ur hands with healing the sick.

[Ahsan8472]

 Prime minister looked very well fed, along with his family.

[lakerfan198126]

I don't get it, obviously it sucks that these people were starving, but why would they continue to have kids and producing babies if they themselves cannot eat. Seems very irresponsible.

[Mark999999999]

@lakerfan198126 I don't think they were in absolute poverty before the famine struck.

[OdeerTheFurious]

@lakerfan198126 A basic God given human right is to have children. Is that what you tell your friends if they are out of work. Oh wait our country has a welfare system that will take care of your ass. but not for long.

[zulfitareen]

@lakerfan198126

the answer to your question is in two parts my friend.

1-lack of education.

2-religion.

religion forbids them from exercersing birth control. same situcation in south america. reilgion forbids them too from restricting number of kids.

relion is a curse on mankind.

it is a very sad and tragic situation.

[tmirdotorg]

Joy Bengla not feeding these fucking dalit Bengali. Fuck you. sing for your grand-pa India.

[bakaranger1991]

@tmirdotorg Pak sir jamin fuck bad. Go fuck your self paki bitch.

[SonnyCash1]

Up until now I had a respect for your points even though I have not agreed with them. However now you seem to have run out of steam.

Let me put this int perspective for you.

A 1969 flood

A war torn civil war

Numerous interference from foreign governments.

You yourself have highlighted the escalation of famine.

A population of Apprx 85,000,000

ONLY 27,000 dead

Your not satisfied!

[SonnyCash1]

"BD could have lowered the number of deaths with a much better administrative plan"

This is the point I ave been trying to clarify for you. International consensus at the time of this documentary was that 1,000,000 should have died. In reality ONLY 27,000 had died. You seem to be saying that despite such a massive discrepancy the government was inadequate.

So what "smaller" number would you prefer to have to have regarded the administration as being successful!?

[SonnyCash1]

I agree the politics in Bangladesh is deplorable, however the facts remain.

The famine could have been worse without government intervention. The grain I am talking about was not foreign aid it was legitimately brought through foreign reserves.

In addition to that, foreign powers did not help is another matter. Mujib tried his best to balance India, USSR and Pro American groups.

U seem to feel that BD could have solved the famine on their own!

[SonnyCash1]

"PAKISTAN and Turkey helped Bangladesh come over the SHYNESS and join OIC"

Hmm an interesting phrase you have used there.

With reference to the Rakhi Bahibi, too many arms were floating around in the country, the group was designed as a response to that.

Foreign powers were exploiting the arms situation and causing aggravation.

The Sources you quote maybe the most neutral in Bangladesh but with each government this neutrality seems to change. International sources have no vested interest!

[SonnyCash1]

AS I explained to you. Bangladesh Ordered Rice grain to feed the starving this was delayed in order t create greater Famine. You lived through the famine so this strategy by Kissinger affected you.

In the documentary Mujib correctly said that Millions were predicted to be dead. The figure released was 27,000 (regrettable but proportionately less).

The government must have done something correct - you survived!

[SonnyCash1]

Many omuslim countries didn't initially accept Bangladesh and were pro Pakistan.

You may not know but Bangladesh used its own money to buy 4 million tonnes of rice from USA to stop the famine.

Under Kissinger's orders the two ships carrying this grain were delayed from March to October to cause civil unrest. The idea was regime change to a anti-Soviet pro USA government.

In those days "Kissinger" was used as a swear word to insult people!

Bangladesh was born in the heart of the cold war!

[SonnyCash1]

See above

[SonnyCash1]

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were on the list of countries in NSSM200, this obviously precluded India from giving help to Bangladesh.

In a balanced political situation I agree with you BAKSAL was not required.

The ideals of democracy should not have been subverted in a true and balanced political view. HOWEVER the politics of Bangladesh were not balanced.

China, USSR, India, America and Pakistan were all interfering. All Causing unrest. BAKSAL was designed to suppress this imbalance.

[SonnyCash1]

I agree every leader has failings but you seem to suggest that the international journalists were biased.

Pilger for example in his documentary did not once mention Mujib's "rule" as the reason for the famine.

Treasury records show that foreign aid from the USA tripled after Mujib's assassination and that USSR Aid had diminished.

NSSM 200 is a paper that was held under top secrecy until 1990. Kissinger theorised that food could be used as a weapon. "Friendly" or "Strategic" should get food.

[SonnyCash1]

Did you not just watch the documentary. If you had you would have seen the following:

-South Vietnam got the largest food donation yet they EXPORT THEIR OWN RICE.

-Bangladesh did not receive Soya Bean or milk aid as the EU bought up all stock to feed their cows.

-Kissinger declared that Bangladesh was no longer strategic (Vis NSSM 200) and can be done away with.

-Mujib said "we tried to get food around the world" - as a politician he wasnt able to directly criticise the USA and EU.

[SonnyCash1]

Many peopel seem to blame Sheikh Mujib for this famine but this Documentary is showing that the famine could have been avoided by America and the Europeans.

Kissinger wanted a different regime in Bangladesh and this destabilisation was designed to generate unrest. BAKSAL was implemented to counter this.

After Sheikh Mujib American aid increased and USSrRaid decreased. Was this a Coincidence?

[basak983]

america is fuked mark my words i am off to my land Afghanistan to kill me some pigs. mark my words i swear we Afghans will destroy the coward WORLD ARMY. mark my words.

[lamya83]

I have to admit we have developed a lot since 1975,by The Grace of Allah we now grow our own crops.

[Wunpawng]

Thanks for posting the documentary! John is one of the greatest living journalists.