Bangabandhu is a role model for Asians

June 20, 1972

BANGABANDHU WELCOMES INDO-PAK SUMMIT

In an interview with Reuters, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today welcomes the upcoming Indo-Pak Summit which will be held at Simla on 21 June.

"This is a bilateral summit between the two countries. Let them discuss their issues. I don't want to be a part of that," he adds. The prime minister categorically denies any possibility of talks with Pakistan unless and until the country recognises Bangladesh.

When asked if there is any possibility of abandoning the trial process, Bangabandhu reiterates that the trial of war criminals will be held on the soil of Bangladesh at any cost. "They have committed the worst forms of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh. They killed 30 lakh Bangalees, raped 2 lakh women and one crore people had to take refuge in India fleeing their atrocities. The world must know about the brutalities committed by the Pak Army," he adds. 

He further says that India has no authority to hand over the prisoners of war to any other country since the POWs surrendered to the command of Bangladesh.

SD GOKHALE CALLS ON BANGABANDHU

SD Gokhale, the president of International Council on Social Welfare, today calls on Bangabandhu at his official residence. He discusses Bangladesh's entry into this international organisation.  SD Gokhale praises Bangabandhu's leadership and says that the whole of Asia is looking up to him as a role model for emancipation of oppressed people. Bangabandhu expresses his gratitude and says that he wants to build the society of Bangladesh in such a way where every citizen will be an epitome of idealism and self-sacrifice. 

BANGLADESH ACCEPTS RED CROSS'S PROPOSAL OF CIVILIAN EXCHANGE

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad today says that the government accepts the Red Cross proposal of exchanging civilians between Bangladesh and Pakistan on a one-to-one basis. He informs the decision at a meeting with the new Red Cross Chief A Scheifele, who is currently visiting Dhaka. According to this proposal, initially 1,000 ill and injured civilians will be exchanged between the two countries.

SOURCES: June 21, 1972 issue of Purbodesh.