Massive help needed without delay

FEBRUARY 18, 1972

MUJIB BLASTS NIXON ADMINISTRATION

Bangabandhu says that although he has friendly feelings towards the people of USA, he cannot support President Richard Nixon's administration, which has still not recognised Bangladesh.

In an interview with United Press International, Bangabandhu says that the Nixon administration had adopted a policy of delivering arms to Pakistan while the Pakistan army was killing people in Bangladesh. How can a civilised government give help to such an army, he asks. The US government, which maintained representations in East Bengal, he adds, must have known about the Pakistan army's brutalities. Bangabandhu notes that the feelings of the Bangladesh people were conveyed to Senator Edward Kennedy when he visited the country.

During the interview, Bangabandhu also expresses his wish that Bangladesh would be admitted immediately to the United Nations.

He envisages that, in the long run, Bangladesh will be better off than Pakistan, which has now lost 75 million people as a market for its industries. 

Bangabandhu emphasises, "I need massive help now without delay because the monsoon is coming in three or four months. I have to give some shelter to my people." While being emphatic about this need, he makes it clear that Bangladesh will accept no help with political or other strings attached.

DRASTIC ACTION AGAINST FAKE MUKTI BAHINI

Bangabandhu warns that drastic action will be taken against anybody indulging in harassing citizens in the name of Mukti Bahini. Earlier, members of the Road Transport Workers' Union brought out a procession from Baitul Mukarrum to protest against the hooliganism of the fake Mukti Bahini. The representatives of the Union later called on Bangabandhu. 

AL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING ENDS

The two-day meeting of the Bangladesh Awami League working committee, which concludes today, is learnt to have empowered Bangabandhu to set up an organising committee in place of the existing working committee. The names of the office-bearers of the proposed committee are expected to be announced by Bangabandhu soon.

FREEDOM FIGHTERS' TREATMENT MUST BE PRIORITY

Priority must be given to the medical necessities of the freedom fighters who are now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College, says Minister for Health Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury. He adds that prompt decisions must be made at all levels of the Health Ministry to fulfill all the requirements towards the treatment of the freedom fighters, and if anyone fails to do that, he or she will be treated as criminals before the eyes of the public because the freedom fighters sacrificed their all for the liberation of Bangladesh and they are the national heroes.

SOURCES: February 19, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.