August 27, 1972

BANGABANDHU'S PHONE CONVERSATION WITH BHUTTO

Pakistan President ZA Bhutto called Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while the latter was in London after a gallbladder operation. This is disclosed by Bangabandhu over his phone conversation with acting Prime Minister Syed Nazrul Islam today.

During the conversation Bhutto inquired about Bangabandhu's health and expressed his desire to meet him. Bangabandhu informs Syed Nazrul Islam that he had categorically told Bhutto that he would not discuss anything with him before Pakistan accorded recognition to Bangladesh as an independent sovereign state.

EFFECTIVE STEPS TO TACKLE FOOD PROBLEM

The Cabinet meeting held at the Gono Bhaban today decides to import 25,000 tonnes of rice immediately from India and to rush the food grains to the affected areas of the country. Priority would be given to carrying the food grains by train and other transport, the meeting decides. Acting Prime Minister Syed Nazrul Islam presides over the meeting. The Cabinet further decides to immediately import cloths worth Tk 5 crore duty free so that people can buy it at a cheaper rate.

SAMAD LEAVES FOR IRAQ

In an interview with ENA prior to his departure for Iraq today, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad says that his visit to Iraq would improve the chances of normalisation of relations between Bangladesh and Arab countries.  Iraq, which is the only Arab country to recognise Bangladesh, can serve as a bridge between the 75 million people of Bangladesh and that of the Arab countries, he adds.

PERSPECTIVE POWER PLAN UNDER PREPARATION

A national perspective plan for power generation is being prepared, declares Power and Natural Resources Minister Dr Mofiz Chowdhury today in Dhaka. A planning committee in the ministry is engaged in compiling recommendations which will include the amount of electricity needed at different stages such as 1975-1985 and onwards. The report will also suggest mode of production of electricity.

SOURCES: August 28, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.