July 17, 1972

SOVIET DELEGATION CALLS ON BANGABANDHU

Soviet Ambassador to Bangladesh Valentine F Popov calls on Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today at the Gono Bhaban. The Soviet ambassador is accompanied by the chief of the Soviet salvage team. The delegation apprises the prime minister of the work of the salvage team in the ports of Bangladesh.

DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE ON

Bangladesh is virtually assured of membership in the UN when its General Assembly meets in the third week of September, 1972. The foreign office is very confident about the forthcoming UN success. It will forward a formal application for the UN membership by August 13. Eighty members of the UN have so far recognised Bangladesh. Four out of five permanent members of the Security Council and six out ten non-permanent members of the Security Council have accorded recognition to Bangladesh. The foreign office has started its diplomatic offensive to secure the UN membership. Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad has already sent cables to friendly countries seeking their active support in Bangladesh's entry into the UN. The response has been favourable.

SHAHIDULLAH KAISER MURDER CASE

Jamat-e-Islami Office Secretary ABM Abdul Khaleq is found guilty of kidnapping journalist and author Shahidullah Kaiser with the intent to murder him and awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Tk 10,000. A Special Tribunal presided over by Additional Session Judge Fazlur Rahman pronounces the judgment today.

HUGE ARMS RECOVERED IN PABNA

Bangladesh Rifles, Rakkhi Bahini and Police recover a huge cache of arms and ammunition and other contraband materials today during a curfew clamped on parts of Pabna town. Seven persons are arrested for alleged violation of curfew.

SOURCES: July 18, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.