‘The game is over now’

FEBRUARY 26, 1972

BANGABANDHU CALLS FOR AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

Bangabandhu calls for agricultural revolution to make the country self-sufficient in food production. He asks the people, particularly youths, to participate in the national reconstruction and make the country's independence meaningful. Bangabandhu, in his forty-minute address, reviews the country's economy, shattered by the Pakistan army during the war of liberation and outlines the present task of the people in rebuilding the country. The PM says that with the recognition given by 46 countries to Bangladesh, the 'chess game' of Pakistani leaders is over now. He asks them to accept the reality of the new nation.

USSR WILL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ECONOMIC REHABILITATION: BANGABANDHU

Bangabandhu expresses his firm confidence that Soviet help and assistance would play a significant role in the economic rehabilitation of Bangladesh. The sentiment is expressed by the Prime Minister in his goodwill message which is read out at a function organised by the Bangladesh-Soviet Maitree Samity in Dhaka. Recalling the Soviet support both inside and outside the UN, Bangabandhu says that Soviet Union frustrated the international conspiracy of anti-Bangladesh forces and upheld Bangladesh's cause. He also recalls the letter of Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny sent to the then Pakistan President Yahya Khan and says that the Soviet Union protested the Pakistan military action in Bangladesh when the barbarous force was killing the innocent people of Bangladesh.

RS. 9 CRORE BRITISH INTEREST-FREE LOAN

Two interest-free British commodity loans worth Rs. 9,18,65,000 are signed today in Dhaka between Bangladesh and Britain. According to the agreements, the British government will provide the amount to the Bangladesh government for the purchase of British goods and services. The first loan worth Rs. 2,72, 65,000 will be utilised for the purchase of machinery spare parts, industrial raw materials, chemicals, scientific equipment, laboratory goods and hospital equipment. The duration of both the loans will be 25 years and for the first eight years there will be no repayment of capital by the Bangladesh government. 

QUEEN GREETS BANGLADESH

Queen Elizabeth II has expressed her best wishes to the government and the people of Bangladesh as the new nation sets about the mammoth task of national reconstruction. The message was in response to the one sent by the President Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury after the UK government accorded recognition to Bangladesh.

SOURCES: February 27, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.