Bangabandhu’s cable to ICRC president

October 15, 1972

SPEEDY REPATRIATION OF BANGALEES URGED

Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urges the president of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Geneva to urgently take up the issue of stranded Bangalees with the authorities in Islamabad to prevent their persecution and arrange their speedy repatriation to Bangladesh. The prime minister today in a telegraphic message to Marcel Naville portrays the plights of the Bangalees stranded in Pakistan.

Recalling that in February this year he had invited Naville's attention to the plights of the stranded Bangalees, the prime minister observes that since then there has been steady deterioration in their general condition. The prime minister tells Naville, "In the considered view of my government the International Committee of Red Cross, who have been taking an active interest in regard to the persons of non-Bangali origin living in Bangladesh and owing allegiance to Pakistan, are well-placed to play an equally significant humanitarian role in securing safety and well-being of the Bangalis stranded in Pakistan".

PEACE MEDAL AN HONOUR TO MARTYRS

The National Executive Committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League garland Bangabandhu at the Gono Bhaban today while felicitating him on his being awarded the Joliot-Curie Medal by the World peace Council Presidential Committee.

Replying to the felicitations, Bangabandhu says the honour of the award does not belong to him. He says the martyrs who shed blood in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh are virtually accorded the honour. "It is the entire seven and a half crore people of Bangladesh who have been honoured," he observes.

PRESS CLUB LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR BANGABANDHU

Jatiyo Press Club today in a meeting unanimously decides to confer life membership of the club to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A deputation would soon meet Bangabandhu to seek his consent.

SOURCES: October 16, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.