AFTER UNSUCCESSFULY RECONCILIATING IT WITH PAKISTAN
Djakarta, February 25 (Antara).
Foreign Minister Adam Malik announced today that the Indonesian government has decided to recognize the Bangla Desh Republic as from February 25, 1972, the public relations directorate of the Fereign Ministry said here today.
The decision has been cabled to the Indonesian Ambassador in India with an instruction that he shall extend the decision to the Bangla Desh government through the Indonesian Consul in Dacca.
The Indonesian Ambassador in Islamabad has earlier been instructed to extend message of President Soeharto to President Ali Bhutto on the recognition, it was further announcd.
The Indonesian government had since the outbreak of the dispute in the subcontinent endeavoured to create such condition at the recent United Nations General Assembly which supported the cease fire order and the withdrawal of the troops of both sides, proposals to both sides for settlement of their dispute, and the latest one was the offer of any lace in Djakarta as a venue for their negotiations.
The above initatives clearly indicate that Indonesia has done its best in the efforts to bring both sides closer to each other, but hopes for approaches in the near future are gloomy.
After taking into account all related factors and developments around the proclamaton of independence by Bangla Desh, particularly after the return of Sheikh Mujibur Rachman to Dacca on the joint statement of Mujibur Rahman and Premier Mrs. Gandhi on the withdrawal of Indian troops, the Indonesian government now sees no obstacles to the recognition of his Bangla Desh.
Indonesia’s recognition to Bangla Desh is also prompted by the great interests of that country in contributing to peace, stability and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Reference : Indonesian Observer, 26.02.1972