‘Aid must be without strings’

MARCH 3, 1972

MUJIB-PODGORNY TALKS

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman meets the Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny at Kremlin today. The two leaders discuss strengthening and developing friendship and cooperation between their two countries as well as certain international problems.

An economic assistance agreement involving a multi-million-ruble grant of essential commodities and equipment to Bangladesh by the Soviet Union is signed by the two governments.

Bangabandhu, in a television interview with Moscow Television, says that Bangladesh needs help from friendly countries like the Soviet Union but such assistance must be without any strings attached. He thanks the wonderful people of Russia for the warm and splendid hospitality they extended to him and members of his delegation as well as the support they gave to the liberation struggle of Bangladesh.

Later, Bangabandhu visits Leningrad, the cradle of Russian revolution, where he is given a hearty and warm reception. Bangabandhu is accompanied by the Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin. Thousands of people of Leningrad line the 15-km route from the airport to the city in negative three degrees Celsius temperature to cheer the Bangladesh leader.

RS. 80CR FOR REHABILITATION OF WOMEN

The government has prepared a Rs.80 crore rehabilitation plan for displaced women and children of Bangladesh. The scheme which envisages the rehabilitation of over two lakh people is proposed to be executed by 1973 in two phases. Under this plan, a shelter home for displaced women and children will be set up in each thana and another centre will be set up in each district for dishonoured women. Each of these centres will accommodate about 500 people.

FOKKER FRIENDSHIP AIRCRAFT RECEIVED

Bangladesh Minister for Communications, Mansoor Ali, receives at the Dhaka Airport one of two Fokker friendship aircraft procured from India for domestic services.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT OF BANGLADESH SIGNED

The first international general trade agreement of Bangladesh is signed today with Bulgaria. The agreement is followed by a barter deal worth Rs.27 million that will be valid for two years. The trade agreement was written in Bangla, English and Bulgarian.

Bangladesh will export, according to this agreement, finished jute goods, tea and leather. Bulgaria will export among other things electrical goods, dyes and chemicals and agricultural implements.

SOURCES: March 4, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.