Jakarta pledges to help UN entry

July 22, 1972

BANGABANDHU ADVISED REST

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been keeping indifferent health over the last few days. Even so, he continued with his usual busy programme despite his physician's request, according to a health bulletin issued in Dhaka today by the personal physician to the prime minister. The bulletin adds that yesterday the prime minister hardly had any rest till late at night. Consequently, he had a recurrence of his abdominal pain. Rest is now essential for him and there should be no visitor until further instruction.

FOREIGN MINISTER'S JAKARTA VISIT CONCLUDES

Declaring his fullest support to Bangladesh's entry into the United Nations, Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik today says, "Bangladesh's position is now getting stronger and the Republic would be accepted into the UN later this year because it appears it would be able to collect the two-thirds majority if the matter comes to a vote."

He accompanies Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad on the latter's trip to Bali.

Abdus Samad Azad asks Pakistan President ZA Bhutto to accept the reality of the subcontinent by recognising Bangladesh. "Other nations could help him [Bhutto] to come straight to the decision of direct recognition of our Republic. This will help him," he tells newsmen today at the conclusion of his four-day Indonesia visit.

The Bangladesh foreign minister further says, "Pakistan is dead. Pakistan is buried under the ground by their actions -- not ours."

7,000 CORRUPTION CASES PENDING

Over 7,000 cases of corruption, malpractices and abuse of power by officials and men in responsible positions are now lying in different stages in Bangladesh. Of the total number of cases, 2,000 are pending before courts all over the country, enquiries are being conducted in 4,000 cases and over 1,000 cases have been instituted. Meanwhile 13 Class I officers and seven Class II officers have been charge-sheeted on different counts of corruption. Some of the officials have already been suspended and others are also in the process of being suspended.

RECOGNITION BY MALTA

Malta has officially accorded recognition to Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state on July 21, 1972.

SOURCES: July 23, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.