Blood's family lauds efforts to uphold democracy

Margaret Blood, wife of Archer K Blood, speaks at a Victory Day programme at the Liberation War Museum in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

"The valiant freedom fighters of the country have struggled for freedom, independence and democracy. It was a fight for truth and against falsehood. I believe that one day the land will be one of the best democratic countries in the world," said Peter Blood, son of Archer K Blood, at a Victory Day programme at the Liberation War Museum in the city.

He also recalled the memories of his father, who was the US consul general to Dhaka during the Liberation War. Archer K Blood opposed the brutal military crackdown on the Bangalees. His famous 'Blood Telegram' alerted the then US President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to the 'selective genocide' and urged them to pressure Pakistan to stop the killing.

"My father would have been very happy today as the US government honoured him by naming the American Centre in Dhaka after him when Bangladesh celebrates its victory day, which was also my father's dream," Peter said.

The Nixon administration did not represent the views of the American people, he said, adding that the entire American population gradually came to know the facts about the Bangalees' struggle for independence and the immoral crackdown on the then East Pakistan.

"Even I could not believe how the massive killing could occur at the cost of an autocratic decision," Peter added.

Congratulating the people on the occasion of the Victory Day, Archer's wife Margaret Blood said it was a great pleasure for them to meet old Bangladeshi friends and relatives.

Shireen, daughter of Archer K Blood, termed the relations between their family and Bangladesh 'unending'.

Shireen, who also acted in a film titled 'Post Master' by Rabindra-nath Tagore, said they are overwhelmed by the warm hospitality of the Bangladeshis.