December 16, 1972

BANGABANDHU'S VICTORY DAY SPEECH

Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reasserts in unambiguous terms today that the trial of war criminals must be held on Bangladesh soil. Addressing a huge crowd at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Victory Day, the prime minister explains that prisoners of war and war criminals are not the same. "The war criminals will be tried and must be tried; nobody can stop this," he reiterates. "Sheikh Mujib never compromises."

The prime minister recalls in a plaintive voice that war criminals carried out a systematic genocide in Bangladesh, killing 30 lakh people. They murdered intellectuals, they forced the exodus of 10 million people, dishonoured two and a half lakh women, made 40 lakh children orphans and let loose a hell of destruction and pillage in Bangladesh.

"How can they go unpunished?" he asks.

Referring to some external pressures, Bangabandhu says Bangladesh was born through bloodshed and if necessary, the sovereignty and independence of the country would be defended through sacrifice of blood. "The flag of Bangladesh will fly forever; Bangladesh has come to stay," he adds.

CONSTITUTION COMMENCES

The constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh comes into force today. A resolution seeking the commencement of the constitution from December 16, 1972 was adopted by the Gono Parishad on November 4.

British Prime Minister Edward Heath congratulated Bangladesh on the inauguration of the constitution today. In a message to the Bangabandhu, Heath says, "I send my congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of Bangladesh on the introduction of new constitution."

Sources: December 17, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, Ittefaq and The Daily Observer.