No aid with strings

July 1, 1972

TK 200 CRORE FOREIGN HELP AS GRANTS

Finance Minister Tajuddin Ahmad discloses at a crowded press conference today that out of Tk 375 crore foreign assistance shown in the budget, Tk 200 crore would be received as grants. The remaining Tk 175 crore would be available as loan from various sources and the country would not go to any particular bloc for assistance. Tajuddin Ahmad further says that under no circumstances the country would accept any aid with strings. "We will starve if necessary but would not accept loan with strings," he emphatically says.

SIMLA TALKS: GAP STILL WIDE

Despite two summit-level meetings in the last 24 hours, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President ZA Bhutto have not been able to settle on a mutually acceptable framework of durable peace in the subcontinent. Much hope was pinned on today's 105-minute discussion between the two leaders since it was preceded by a 40-minute meeting between the two yesterday. These meetings prove to be inconclusive. However, Indira Gandhi visualises more summit meetings between India and Pakistan even if the current talks don't yield meaningful results.

ROTARY CLUB HONOURS MUJIB

Dhaka Rotary Club today declares Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the best Rotarian for his uncompromising stand for truth and for his strong sense of justice and fair play. The declaration is made by the Rotarians at their first meeting in independent Bangladesh, held today in Dhaka.  

BRIDGE ON THE RIVER JAMUNA

Communication Minister Muhammad Mansur Ali says today that the government is determined to go ahead with the construction of a bridge over the River Jamuna. A Japanese team has already prepared a preliminary feasibility report for the proposed bridge and the selection of the site has been made. A detailed study is awaited. The government will negotiate with the Japanese government in the matter, the minister adds. 

SOURCES: July 2, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dianik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.