US recognises Bangladesh
US ACCORDS RECOGNITION
The United States of America today accords recognition to Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state. The US is the 57th country and the fourth of the five big powers to recognise Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad welcomes the US recognition as a victory of the freedom loving people of America. The foreign minister hopes that the US recognition will contribute to the maintenance of peace in the region.
BANGABANDHU WARNS RACKETEERS
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman warns dishonest traders against malpractices. He says that he will cancel the licenses issued to distributors and wholesalers of essential commodities if the prices do not come down within seven days.
The prime minister wants to know why it is that the prices are high although commodities are available in the market. Addressing a huge public meeting in Mymensingh, Bangabandhu says that the government has allowed the traders to continue trade but he will not allow them to exploit the people.
Stating that India will supply Bangladesh an additional two and a half lakh tonnes of food grains besides her earlier commitment of five lakh tons, the prime minister says that he is making arrangements for food grains from Soviet Union, Japan and other countries.
Bangabandhu further says that he wants to build a village-oriented economy. He says cooperatives and cottage industries will be set up to attain this objective.
$560MN UN AID FOR RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan declares in Dhaka today that the UN has fixed a target of 560 million dollars as assistance to the resettlement of refugees in Bangladesh.
CYCLONE LASHES DHAKA CITY
A cyclone with a wind velocity ranging from 70 to 100 mph lashes Dhaka city and adjoining areas for about ninety minutes today evening, leaving in its wake a harrowing tale of devastation, deaths and sorrow. Coming three days after the Mymensingh tornado where Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has visited today to see for himself the devastations caused by it, Dhaka people are caught unawares by another storm which, according to first-hand reports, left behind at least four children killed and over a hundred people injured.
MONEY SAVED FROM TIFFIN DONATED TO RELIEF FUND
A German school-going student, Otton Reutter, has contributed an amount of 20 marks to the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Reutter saved the money from his tiffin and pocket expense with a view to donating the amount to the relief fund as a token of sympathy for the war-ravaged people of Bangladesh.
SOURCES: April 5, 1972 issues of Ittefaq, The Bangladesh Observer, Azad, Morning News, Dainik Bangla and Purbodesh.
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