December 4, 1972         

PINDI WANTS TALKS ON POW ISSUE

Pakistan President ZA Bhutto has said in Islamabad that it would be unwise for Bangladesh Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to conduct trial of Pakistani army officers now in India. He warns that he would also put a similar number of Bangalees on trial if Bangabandhu takes the attempt of trial of Pakistan army officers in Dhaka. He further says discussions should be held between Bangabandhu and him before the former undertakes the trial of Pakistan army officers. "We are Muslims, and Bangalees are Muslims, and problems should be solved on mutual understanding," he adds.

BANGABANDHU BACK FROM COASTAL TOUR

Bangabandhu returns to Dhaka today from his five-day working tour of the coastal areas and the Sundarbans. The prime minister has seen for himself the coastal embankments for the conservation of forest resources of the area during his tour. He is also learnt to have had extensive discussions with the local leaders and people about the problems of the coastal areas and the ways and means for their solution. The prime minister also issues an order during his trip to the relevant authorities to expedite the survey work of unexplored islands in the Bay of Bengal, including Manpura in Barisal district.

AUSTRIAN ENVOY CALLS ON BANGABANDHU

Austrian Ambassador Dr Saller, accompanied by Otto Santer, Austrian expert on tourism, calls on Bangabandhu at the Gono Bhaban today. The Austrian Ambassador says they will visit some tourist spots in Bangladesh and prepare a survey report to see what Austria can do for the development of tourism in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH TEAM VISITS FARAKKA

A five-member team of Bangladesh experts led by BM Abbas, adviser to the Bangladesh prime minister and chairman of Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, visits Farakka today. 

After visiting the Farakka project, the team will proceed to Patna and from there will go by a special plane to see the Kosi Barrage and other river protection works in that area. After these visits the team will go to Delhi for the third meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission to be held from December 11 to 13.

SOURCES: December 5, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.