My Country Beckons Me Critique

Pakistan's late foreign minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who later became the president, gave this phenomenal speech at the Security Council in New York on December 15, 1971. This speech was given at a time when Pakistan was on the brink of a collapse. It was one of the most tragic and ominous times in the history of Pakistan as millions of Pakistanis were dying in the war between East and West Pakistan through acts of massive violence such as genocide, arson and rape. In such grave circumstances, Bhutto felt it was crucial for him to seek help from the Security Council however, the options that were presented to him by the Security Council meant surrendering to East Pakistan and handing over the entire power to them. Bhutto was left with no option but to reject the ceasefires hence he called for a meeting at the Security Council where he gave this speech as his final words to mark his resign from the Council. This speech has remained a controversial matter as critics have said that had Bhutto accepted the ceasefire, such destruction would not have taken place while others admire Bhutto for his heroic speech and rejection of surrender. Bhutto addresses multiple audiences here as he firstly speaks to the entire world to appeal for justice and ask for their support while on the other hand he speaks to the Pakistani community preparing them for the loss of East Pakistan which then seemed inevitable. Bhutto presents his speech using an emotional and rhetoric tone which is suited to his purpose of motivating his country while criticizing the international community however, some of his arguments are irrational, fallacious and based on facts which are exaggerated.

The purpose behind Bhutto’s speech was to deliver the message that no matter what happens to Pakistan they will survive and resurface as a stronger nation. He conveys that they will not go down without a fight. Furthermore, throughout his speech Bhutto seems to be shifting the blame from himself onto the Security Council for using dilatory tactics, France and Britain for taking a neutral stance, and Russia and India for supporting aggression. He expresses his disappointment at the Security Council for siding with the aggressors and not taking Pakistan's situation seriously. Bhutto aims to emotionally connect with his audience at such a critical point in the history of Pakistan times and tries to offer hope to his nation through his words.  

Bhutto blames India for the seperation of East Pakistan. He implies that had India not intervened, Pakistan would have remained united. However in reality, there were numerous reasons behind the partition of East Bengal. The West Pakistan imposed its authority upon the East and considered itself superior. The earnings generated by the East were actively spent on carrying out developments in the West. Moreover, the imposition of Urdu as the national language created resentment among the east Pakistanis who felt their culture and traditions were not being given their due importance. Also, the domination in politics by the West was unfair. Such attitudee by the West Pakistan had been carving the way for the separation since a long time which finally led to West declared war on East Pakistan after certain uprisings in the East became significant, and the Pakistan Army started using extreme measures of violence to end the uprising in the East. Bhutto himself was in favour of using military action to quel down the uprisings as he publicly announced "Thank God Pakistan has been saved". This statement itself shows the attitude of the West towards the people of the East. Considering this, a war between the East and West was inevitable and if anyone is to blame for the deaths of millions of innocent people, its the West Pakistan government who initiated the attack. India intervened after the attack in order to assist East Pakistan fight against the terrible atrocities that were being committed by the Pakistan Army in the East. However, India's motive behind helping the East is questionable here as Bhutto is justified in critisizing India's argument, that India attacked Pakistan in order to impose the will of East Pakistanis, by referring to the Kashmir issue. The United Nations had passed a resolution for a refferndum to take place in Kashmir through which the inhabitants of Kashmir will be given the liberty to decide whether to join pakistan or india. however, India refused to hold the referrundum whereby supressing the rights of the Kashmiris. Id India really is so concerned about the will of East Pakistanis, then it should allow kashmiris to excercise their will too and allow a referendum to take place. This point supports Bhutto's claim that the sole reason for supporting the uprising of East Pakistan by India was to attack Pakistan indirectly and try to break it up.