Friendship will grow stronger
MARCH 5, 1972
BANGABANDHU'S USSR TOUR ENDS
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's five-day Soviet tour ends today. In his farewell message to the people and the government of the Soviet Union, Bangabandhu says that it is his conviction that the Bangladesh-Soviet friendship will continue to grow stronger with the passage of time. He adds, "The people of Bangladesh will never forget the resolute and continued support given by the Soviet people and their leaders in our liberation struggle. Their active support for us during our dark days will ever remain a shining chapter in the history of our relations."
In an exclusive interview to ENA, Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin assures of continued assistance to the new-born state of Bangladesh in reconstructing its war-ravaged economy. All assistance to Bangladesh would be based on the principle of non-interference and mutual respect for each other, he adds.
FIRST BB BOEING FLIGHT LANDS IN DHAKA
The first Boeing of Bangladesh Biman carrying 186 passengers from London lands at Dhaka Airport. An emotion-choked aged passenger alighting from the Boeing amidst chants of 'Joy Bangla' says that he has no words to express his feelings for being able to come back to his liberated country in 'our own national airlines.'
"You know, I have bought this ticket from Bangladesh Biman in London about one and a half months back and since then I have been anxiously waiting for this flight," he adds.
SRI LANKA ACCORDS RECOGNTION
Sri Lanka accords full diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh. In her letter to Bangabandhu, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandarnaike says, "I look forward to establishment of close relations and friendly cooperation between our two countries and governments in our mutual interests."
The Sri Lanka government is now in touch with Dhaka to establish a direct telephone link between Colombo and the Bangladesh capital. Bangladesh makes an urgent request for 147,000 tonnes of coconut oil from Sri Lanka.
REPAY LOANS
The government of Bangladesh has called upon loanees of different financial institutions to repay their loans along with interest as per schedule to enable these organisations to function properly. The government press note reminds the loanees that these institutions are operating under the government of Bangladesh as commercial organisastions, and their liabilities and assets in Bangladesh continue to remain so even after liberation.
RAZAKARS, MIZOS ATTACK POLICE CHECKPOST
At least 11 persons, including 6 policemen, were either killed or missing when a group of Razakars and Mizo rebels attacked the police checkpost at Thanchi Bazar, Bandarban. Shops were looted and communication lines were cut off by the attackers.
SOURCES: March 6, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.
Comments