HINDUSTAN STANDARD, JUNE 4, 1971
NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE WITH
PAKISTAN: TAJUDDIN
New Delhi, June 3. – The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, categorically declared in Mujibnagar yesterday that “there is no room for compromise (with West Pakistan) within the framework of Pakistan,” says UNI.
“Bangladesh is sovereign and independent and we shall defend its separate and free-entity at any cost”, he said.
In an interview with All India Radio, Mr. Ahmed reiterated – “our irrevocable commitment to a policy of friendship for all, especially our neighbors … irrespective of variations in the response of world powers to our present difficulties.”
“Beyond this it is not possible to define too rigidly the foreign policy of a twomonth-State, Mr. Tajuddin said in reply to a question”.
He added: “There are encouraging developments and no final judgment need be made on the long-term developments”.
Asked about the Pakistan Government claim that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been taken to Dacca and that he had urged the people to cooperate with the Army, Mr. Ahmed said: “We do not know where exactly Sheikh Sahib has been detained by the Pakistan Government. But the claim that he has urged the people to co-operate with the Army of Pakistan should be rejected with utmost contempt.” The claim is preposterous.”
Mr. Ahmed said his Government was not aware if the Pakistan Government had approached the United States for intervening for a political settlement and to grant the Awami League’s six points within the framework of Pakistan.
Asked what was his Government’s feeling about the silence or ambivalence of Big Powers, especially the USA, the UK and the Soviet Union. Mr. Ahmed replied: “Our friendship for a policy shall continue to guide our foreign policy irrespective of the variations in the response of world powers to our present difficulties”.
He said the work of the emissaries sent by his Government abroad was bearing fruit in creating favorably lobbies in these areas and in organizing public opinion in favor of Bangladesh.
Asked about the present functioning of his Government, Mr. Tajuddin said, it never lost contact with the vast rural areas of Bangladesh and “we are in contact with cities and towns in occupied areas through our local leadership cadres.”
“We have set up an administrative machinery for the areas within our control as well as a centralized command for all operations aimed at driving the enemy out”.
Questioned about the reported activities of the leftist forces in Bangladesh, Mr. Ahmed said as far as Bangladesh was concerned “We not know of any problem of leftist forces. Only the other day a nation-wide election has been held and the people of Bangladesh rose as one man in support of their demands. And today also all people irrespective of their political opinions, all patriotic elements are rallying together to give their unstinted support for the cause of the independence of Bangladesh.”
He said, “Maulana Bhashani of the National Awami Party and other patriotic leaders and elements had already held out their unqualified support to the struggling people and the Bangladesh Government demanded its recognition by other countries.”
PTI adds: Asked if he visualized the possibility of the Martial Law administration trying to set up a puppet government in Dacca, Mr. Tajuddin said that any such attempt, if made “would certainly be abortive for no collaboration between the killers and the quislings would be tolerated by the people of his country who are struggling for securing and protecting their independence.”