Indonesian proposal for Bangladesh-Pakistan rapprochement

September 5, 1972

ADAM MALIK ARRIVES IN DHAKA

Dr Adam Malik, Indonesian foreign minister, who flew into Dhaka today, brings with him a new proposal for a rapprochement between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Dr Adam Malik makes a forthright and unambiguous answer to a query by a correspondent that the twin problems of 'no talks before recognition' and 'no recognition without talks' could be settled by a simultaneous announcement of recognition and commencement of a dialogue between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Talking to newsmen at the foreign office after his first round of meetings with Adam Malik, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad says the Indonesian proposal would not be unacceptable to Bangladesh. He reiterates that Bangladesh has always stood for the settlement of issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan on a bilateral basis but Pakistan must eschew the use of force.

BANGABANDHU DIDN'T VETO REPATRIATION PROPOSAL

The allegation that Bangladesh Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has vetoed the proposal for repatriation of 800 sick and wounded Pakistani Prisoners of War from camps in India is absolutely baseless, according to sources close to Bangabandhu, who is now convalescing in Geneva. The allegation was made in a despatch from New Delhi by Daily Telegraph Correspondent Peter Gill yesterday. It is understood that the Bangladesh prime minister had told Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that he had no objection to repatriation of sick and wounded Pakistani prisoners.

WINSPEARE CALLS ON BANGABANDHU

UN Secretary General's representative in Geneva Winspeare calls on Bangabandhu today at his hotel in Geneva.

FIRST CONSIGNMENT OF INDIAN CLOTHS REACHES DHAKA

The trading corporation of Bangladesh has started importing coarse varieties of sarees, lungis, markin and long-cloths worth Tk five crore from India on an emergency basis. The first consignment of such cloth reaches Dhaka today by plane and the second consignment is expected on September 7. Thereafter, planeloads will be delivered at Ishwardi, Chittagong, Comilla and Sylhet.

SOURCES: September 6, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.