Bangabandhu’s arrival ends blockade

July 20, 1972

AUTO-PROMOTION SEEKERS GHERAO DHAKA UNIVERSITY VC

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's appearance on the scene ends a six-hour long blockade of Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Dr Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury and his colleagues by the students seeking auto-promotion. On reaching the University Bangabandhu asks the demonstrators to withdraw the blockade and expresses his resentment at the disrespect shown to the teachers. "I was in politics during my student years but I did never behave like this," the prime minister adds.

SUHARTO FAILS TO PERSUADE SAMAD

Indonesia's President General Suharto fails in a 75-minute talk held today in Jakarta to persuade Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad that a meeting should be arranged between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Pakistani President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. President Suharto explains to the Bangladesh foreign minister that Indonesia is concerned only with the interests of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Abdus Samad Azad reiterates Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's stance that there can be no meeting between himself and Bhutto until Pakistan recognises Bangladesh. Indonesia Foreign Minister Adam Malik says after the meeting that Indonesia's offer to bring Pakistan and Bangladesh at a discussion anywhere at any time is still valid. 

USSR TO SUPPLY ELECTRONICS PLANT MACHINERY

Bangladesh and the Soviet Union today sign a Tk 9.30 crore agreement under which the Soviet Union will supply machineries and construction materials for setting up an electronics plant in Chattogram. This is a part of the Soviet-Bangladesh Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed in Moscow by the prime ministers of the two countries in March, 1972.

INDIA, BANGLADESH TALK ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES

Senior officials of the Indo-Bangladesh border districts of Nadia and Kushtia today reaches an agreement on measures directed to promote border trade and check smuggling on either side. The agreement is reached following a four-day conference of officials from both the countries held in Krishnanagar, Nadia.

SOURCES: July 21, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.