Bangladesh to have its own airlines
From Our Staff Reporter, DACCA. JAN. 5 – Bangladesh is to have its own airlines. This was announced by the Bangladesh Minister of Communication, Mr. Aziz at a press conference here on Sunday. An ordinance to this effect is likely to be promulgated in the next few days.
Mr. Aziz said that the Bangladesh Government was negotiating with friendly countries. According to present indications India may lend at least two Fokker Friendships and a Boeing to start with. The Soviet Union too has offered to lend aircraft to Bangladesh.
Replying to a question he said that 6 Fokkers and two Boeing would be necessary to start services of the Bangladesh International Airlines.
There was no shortage of man-power since most of the Bengali pilots and navigators employed in the PIA were now in Bangladesh. Out of 52 Bengali pilots and navigators 32 were now available for employment in Bangladesh Airlines. The services of a bulk of the staff belonging to other categories would also be available. The Bangladesh Government has already been assured of the services of about 1800 of former PIA staff including pilots and navigators.
06.01.1972 A significant gesture The presence of the heads of seven diplomatic missions in New Delhi when the Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mr. Abdus Samad, arrived at Palam airport on a four day visit to the Indian capital is a gesture that will be warmly appreciated by the new republic and also by India for it was a token of recognition of the reality and vindication of the Indian policy over Bangladesh. None of the seven countries whose envoys were present at the airport has yet recognized the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Their presence was not therefore strictly in accordance with protocol. This deliberate breach of diplomatic etiquette must have been intended to convey to the new nation that these countries have decided in principle to recognize Bangladesh.
In a way, the continuance of the diplomatic missions in Dacca and the courtesy calls made by their chiefs on the Bangladesh Government are a similar pointer. China is the only exception; but Peking has not yet withdrawn its mission though it has informed the Pakistan Government of its intention to do so. Whether Peking is having second thoughts on this question especially after the professions of friendship for it by the Bangladesh leaders is one of the current Chinese puzzles. The attitude of the diplomatic corps in Dacca may have been compelled by the exigence of circumstances but not the presence of the Socialist seven headed by the Soviet Union at Palam.
Perhaps the only thing that is holding back these countries is the absence of Sheik Mujibur Rahman whom President Bhutto has promised to release unconditionally. There is no doubt that the voice of the detained leader is the authentic voice of Bangladesh; at the same time there cannot be any room for suspecting that he may speak in a voice different from that of his lieutenants who are now at the helm of affairs. The so-called talks between Mr. Bhutto and the supreme leader of Bangladesh may be designed to confuse the situation to drive a wedge between the leader and his associates and to foster a myth that the latter’s policies do not have the sanction of the leader. All these will be exposed as soon as the Sheik is released. That is why Mr. Bhutto may even at this stage try to defer the Sheik’s release at one pretext or another. The continued detention of the Sheik is in itself proof of his endorsement of the sovereignty of Bangladesh. [Editorial]
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 07.01.1972