NEW YORK — Formation of the
y nation of Bangladesh is a “cause
' cheer” to all anti-imperialist and
wevers of peace, Victor Perlo, who re-
yeently visited Bangladesh as part of a
waelegation of the World Peace Council,
‘Did a radio audience last week.
Speaking of the ravages by West
akistani troops, Perlo said:
“Our delegation was shocked by the
‘evidences of mass murders and devas--
ition. We came away determined to
imulate immediate aid to Bangladesh,
expose the war crimes of the Pakis-
ni troops and their collaborators in-
de the country, as well as their inter-
ional collaborators, notably U.S.
perialism and the Chinese govern-
} lent.”’ a
if The delegation was deeply moved
y the position of Premier Sheikh Mu-
bur Rahman, Perlo said, noting the
pladesh leader’s “disapproval of the
ixon “Administration’s policy” along
ith his “insistence on friendship to-
ards the U.S. people.”

4 Class Contrasts

Describing the contrasts between
ass poverty and the wealth of the
y wealthy—that featured the form-
East Pakistan. Perlo said:
“Bangladesh inherits the extremes
inequality characteristic of the back-
d colonial structures of the Far
mast. Beggars are everywhere. The
treets are crowded with bicycle rick-
aws. A large percentage of the popu-
ition—if not the majority—live in
boo or earthen shacks, sometimes
roofing material, with virtually
household equipment or furniture.
pvernment salaries range from 5,000
Fupees to 100 rupees ($13) per month
—with the majority near the low end
the scale.
“A handful of big capitalists—main-

West Pakistanis—lawyers, high offi-*

, big landowners, lived well, with
any servants, traveled to Western
Wacations, etc. A mapnificent Gover-
nor’s mansion was erected by the Pa-
istani authorities only a few years

Zo.
“Four-fifths of the population are
peasants. Perhaps half of these are
indiess, subsisting as laborers for the
hf and medium-sized peasants. All

ept the rich peasants consider them-
elves well off if they get two meals
fa day. .

Industrial Workers

' “There are only 800,000 industrial
yorkers, liberally interpreting that term
(representing,with dependents, about
'% of the population. Industry con-
ists mainly of jute mills and tea pro-
essing plants, a match factory, a ce-
Ment factory, a few textileamills, brick-
Works, some simple metal fabricating.

ere is no basic industry.

“Exports of jute and tea provide
Most foreign exchange. Formerly the
Ik of the receipts were appropriated
sy Pakistani owners, who used _ the
money for imports into West Pakistan.
there is considerable British capital
Wm the tea plantations, and in banking.
& “The country is capitalist, but the
apitalist class is weak and small
ale. The elements of monopoly de-
eiparted with the fleeing of the bigger
Vest Pakistani capitalists.”

Social Problems

' Perlo predicted that social problems
yill soon become acute as the most
irgent measures of rehabilitation are

‘ompleted. :
Turning to the outlook, Perlo went

“What are the country’s prospects
er social and economic development?
_*“Maoists and some other ultra-left
Hements dismiss Bangladesh as ‘just
nother capitalist country’, and use that
abel as an excuse for supporting the
Yixon-Maoist policy in support of colo-

hialist repression. They overlook the
psitive significance of the struggle for

nfdependence.

) “Will Bangladesh take a course of

Canada has finally recognized Bangladesh — the United States
and China are the main "'non-recognizers". Our recognition should’
be followed by quick measures of fraternal assistance and establish-
ment of all-round friendly exchanges.

social progress? Will it move along the
path of progressive development, pav-
ing the way for a socialist future? Or
will it becorne another happy hunting
ground for Western corporations and
nouveau riche bureaucratic capitalists,
with repression and misery the lot for
the masses, agghas happened in all too
many newly free countries of Asia and
Africa? 3

“The prospects are relatiyely favor-
able for the former outcome.”

Main Slogans

The principal programmatic slogans

of Bangladesh today are “democracy,
secularism and socialism,” Perlo re-
ported. ;

“By democracy,” he continued, “the
government plans a parliamentary re-
gime with universal suffrage, and there

oS

is every ‘reason to expect its prompt
implementation.

“Secularism refers to what Ameri-
cans call ‘separation of church and °

state,’ and a major advance in a coun-
try where the official Islamic code of

Pakistan was an instrument of repres-

sion against a major segment of the
population.

The new emphasis on secularism, he
added, will help eliminate communal
strife between Muslims and Hindus,
“which has been the most effective
‘divide-and-rule’ instrument of native
and colonial exploiters on the entire
Hindustan subcontinent.”

Socialist Aim

_Discussing the third element of the

program, Perlo said:

“What about socialism? Obviously

=

ole:

Fifteen-year-old Nurul Islam is as eager to learn as 45-year-old worker Abdul
Mazid as they and others begin to write. The evening courses are conducted by
Dacca students as part of a drive to wipe out illiteracy in Bangladesh.

Aid from the GDR arriving at Dacca by special plane. The co
medicines, blood plasma and clothing goods.

-4

the country is not ripe for socialism.
But it can follow a course of develop-
ment paving the way for socialism, and
barring the dominance of capitalism.
That is the issue.”

Perlo reported that 75% of jute mill
capacity and most banking, most of
which was in Pakistani hands, has been
nationalized. The Bangladesh leadership
plans full nationalization of large scale
industry and maintenance of govern-
ment monopoly of foreign trade, he
said. y

Small farmers have been freed of the
land tax and some 20% of arable land
has been confiscated from runaway
non-Bengali landlords, with more to
come, Perlo added. ~

While there is as yet no program
of major urban reform, Perlo noted de-
crees limiting government and private
salaries “to hold down luxury incomes.”

Nation’s Needs

Despite its high population in an area
of 54,000 square miles — Bangladesh
can be self-sufficient in foodstuffs, Perlo
said. However, he emphasized, it needs
more fertilizers, insecticides, farm
equipment and high-yield seeds.

In this connection, foreign aid “can
be a big help,” he said, but “the main
thing is to mobilize the energies of the
people.” The Communist Party of Ban-
gladesh is sending activists to the coun-
tryside to stimulate agricultural pro-
duction, he noted. :

Unity of the “main political forces”.
of the nation is a positive factor, he
said, continuing:

Three Parties

“The Awami League, the ruling party,
has the support of 85-90% of the popu-
lation. The National Awami Party,
somewhat to the left of the Awami
League, obtained significant voting sup-
port in the elections held under Pakis-_
tani rule. The Communist Party, after a
quarter of a century of severe under-
ground existence and most vio‘ent per-
secution, emerged as a real factor in the
guerrilla struggle for independence and
has obtained the support of thousands
of students and workers.

“These three parties presently are in
agreement on a program and we could
observe as a practical fact the day to
day cooperation and friendly attitude
among them.”

The right wing —largely Muslim —
parties are thoroughly discredited. The
Maoists, and their extremist *Naxalite
wing are fragmented and have disap-
peared as a serious factor in the light
of the role of China in the. struggle
against Pakistani repression. =

Friendly States

“The country is starting out with
socialist countries having a major, if not
the leading role, in foreign economic
and political relations, along with In-
dia, a capitalist country with .signifi-
cant progressive,  socialist-leaning,
forces within its governmental struc-
ture. There is, in the government, ex-
treme caution against imperialist in-
trigue, especially on the part of agents
of the United States.

“All these factors are favorable for
a progressive course of development.

“Yet the class struggle, and a con-
flict over direction, is bound to arise
as the present immediate period of ur-
gent reconstruction and national unity
passes. Experience with many newly
freed countries shows there is no ad-
vance guarantee against the capitalist
class excluding other elements from
power, allying with imperialism and
turning the country onto a course of
reaction and neo-colonialism.

“The outcome of that future strug-
gle will depend largely on the success _
of the progressive forces within Ban-~
gladesh in organizing the masses of
students, workers, and peasants for
insuring the realization of the general
slogans of the government.”

Mr. Perlo urged U.S. and world
popular support and assistance to the
new nation. (Daily World)

2 Pp BAtes F r
NOK oe eS Vay