THE STATESMAN, SEPTEMBER, 10, 1971
ARMY MUST QUIT FIRST, SAYS BANGLA MINISTER
New Delhi, Sept. 9 (PTI)-Mr. Khondkar Mushtaq Ahmed, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh has declared that any political settlement on accommodation with Pakistan must be preceded by the withdrawal of President Yahya – Khan’s army from Bangladesh.
In a special AIR television interview recorded recently he said in the event of a negotiated settlement power had to be transferred to the elected representatives of the people.
“There is always room for negotiations, but independence of Bangladesh could not be bartered away for the sake of negotiated settlement.” he declared.
The TV interview was screened tonight in a fortnightly programme “News perspective”. The programme also covered an interview with the Bangladesh Mission chief in New Delhi. Mr. K. M. Shehabuddin, by Dr. Mohammed Ayoob, Associate Professor of Pakistani Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
In reply to a question Mr. Shehabuddin said no decision had been taken on sending a Bangladesh delegation to the ensuing UN General Assembly session. The leadership of Bangladesh was fighting simultaneously on diplomatic and military fronts he said. The appointment of Dr. A. M. Malik as civilian Governor of East Bengal was an “eyewash only to hoodwink the world public opinion.” He called Dr. Malik a “Quisling.”
Mr. Shehabuddin said economically Islamabad was shattered without any aid from the World Bank Consortium. “I am sure the world is aware of the Pakistani President’s mischiefs.”
Mr. Shehabuddin predicted that the reported divergence of opinion between the people’s Party Chairman Mr. Z. A. Bhutto and President Yahya Khan will ultimately bring about the end of Pakistan.” In his view, their clash was one between “two ambitions men.”
He expressed his deep concern over the gruesome trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and urged upon all Heads of States and the UN Secretary-General to intervene to secure the unconditional release of the Sheikh and his family.