Swedish support for UN membership

November 18, 1972      

INDO-BANGLADESH RIVER ROUTES REOPEN TOMORROW

The river routes between India and Bangladesh will be reopened from tomorrow after a lapse of seven years. The minister of shipping and transport will inaugurate the service from Calcutta tomorrow. Initially, cargo operations will be confined to the two arterial routes which were used by steamer companies in the past: one from Calcutta to Dhubri via the Sundarbans, Khulna, Barisal, Chandpur, Goalundo and Bahadurabad and the other from Calcutta to Karimganj in the Cachar district of Assam via the Sundarbans, Khulna, Barisal, Narayanganj, Bhairab Bazar and Sherpur. The two regions are particularly suited for the transportation of items like tea, jute, timber and base oil.

WICKMAN ASSURES SWEDISH SUPPORT

Swedish Foreign Minister Wickman discloses today in Dhaka that his government would give 15 million US dollars (Tk 12 crores) purely as grant to Bangladesh during the 1973-74 fiscal year. He says the discussion on Swedish assistance in long-term development plans of Bangladesh can be held when the documents on the five-year plan would be made available. He further assures that his government would fully support Bangladesh's membership to the United Nations.

23-NATION RESOLUTION IN UN

Twenty-three countries table a resolution for the consideration of the UN General Assembly favouring the admission of Bangladesh into the world body. The resolution reaffirms the principle of universality of membership of the United Nations and considers that the People's Republic of Bangladesh is eligible for membership in the United Nations. It also seeks to express the desire that Bangladesh will be admitted to the membership of the United Nations at an early date.

SUBIMAL CALLS ON BANGABANDHU

Indian High Commissioner Subimal Dutta calls on Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Gono Bhaban today. He is accompanied by JN Talukder, a retired chief secretary, West Bengal government, now on a visit to Bangladesh.

SOURCES: November 19, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.