November 16, 1972

JAPANESE ENVOY CALLS ON PM

Japanese ambassador Takashi Oyamada communicates to Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Japan's willingness to provide technical help to Bangladesh when he calls on Bangabandhu at the Gono Bhaban today.

Talking to newsmen after his meeting with the PM the Japanese ambassador says Japan is willing to provide technical help in agricultural and rural development programmes and also in the field of industry, both big and small. Japan is also willing to undertake personnel exchange programmes, he adds. He further informs that the government of Japan is sending a preliminary survey team to Bangladesh shortly to study the feasibility of the proposed bridge over Jamuna River. The giant bridge to be built with Japanese assistance will be a bridge of friendship between Japan and Bangladesh, in the words of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

CABINET DISCUSSES SUGAR INDUSTRY PROBLEMS

The cabinet today reviews the problems of the sugar industry in Bangladesh, including the price of sugarcane and distribution of sugar. The cabinet meeting, presided over by Bangabandhu, also discusses explorations and distribution of oil and gas. Besides, problems relating to food, aviation, shipping and inland navigation are also taken up for discussion. The cabinet takes stock of the food situation. The meeting held at the secretariat lasts for about four hours.

BANGLADESH DENIES TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

Bangladesh mission sources in New York yesterday categorically denied that there had been any talks between Bangladesh and Pakistan, direct or secret, and firmly maintained that there would be no such talks except on the basis of sovereign equality. They were commenting on Pakistani President Bhutto's interview with the Washington Post in which he said, "Representatives of Bangladesh and Pakistan have been meeting secretly in New York or elsewhere".

Sources: November 17, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, Bangladesh Observer and Ittefaq.