The West and the Birth of Bangladesh

Download or read book The West and the Birth of Bangladesh written by Richard Pilkington and published by UBC Press. This book was released on 2021-08-15 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1971, authorities in West Pakistan, now Pakistan, perpetrated mass atrocities in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The West and the Birth of Bangladesh explores responses in Washington, Ottawa, and London during the crucial first months of the crisis, investigating the debates and policies pursued. The United States favoured appeasement of Islamabad. Canada was unwilling to hazard bilateral ties with Pakistan. The UK showed greater willingness to coerce Islamabad into ending its oppression. This insightful book reveals how, even as human rights movements began to emerge in the West, government actors there remained too preoccupied with national interests to take firm action during the crisis.