Title items-in-lndia/Pakistan/Bangladesh - Bangladesh ...€¦ · Press Release REF/638 IHA/191 29...

UN Secretariat Item Scan - Barcode - Record Title PageDateTime

8127/06/20062:27:48 PM

S-0900-0008-08-00001

Expanded Number S-0900-0008-08-00001

Title items-in-lndia/Pakistan/Bangladesh - Bangladesh - documentspress releases

Date Created 25/02/1974

Record Type Archival Item

Container s-0900-0008: India/Pakistan/Bangladesh 1971-1977

Print Name of Person Submit Image Signature of Person Submit

U N I T E D N A T I O N S

Press SectionOffice of Public Information

United Nations., N.Y.

(3TOR USE OF INFOFiMATION MEDIA — NOT. AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Eolease SG/SM/1962£5 February 197*1

STATEMENT BY SSCSETASY-GEKGPAL OK RECOGHIi ON

QJ BANGLADESH BY PAKISTAN

Following is the text of a statement issued on Saturday, 23 February,by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim:

I welcome most warmly this very important development. The establishmentof normal and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan is animportant contribution to peace and co-operation in the subcontinent. It will,I hope, lay the foundation for a constructive co-operation on the many commonproblems which face the two countries. The United Nations, and I, asSecretary-General, have been much concerned in recent years with the problemsof the subcontinent. The present "development is, therefore, especiallygood news.

* V V VA A A



United Nations, N.Y.

(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/1TT67 December 1973

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF UNITED NATIONS

SALVAGE OPERATION OF PORT OF CHALNA. BANGLADESH

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim today announced the completion ofthe second and last phase of the United Nations salvage and clearanceoperations of Chalna, the second largest port of Bangladesh.

The Government of Bangladesh submitted a formal request to the UnitedNations on 8 September 1972 for the clearance of -the approach channel andPort of Chalna. Its reopening was essential to ensure the smooth flow offoodgrains into the country and the exports of' tea and jute to the internationalmarket. ' • .

On \9 September 1972, the United Nations invited some of - ..maritime salvage firms of the world to bid on a contract for tl-.:s work.Twenty- two firms in 15 countries vere solicited. Responses were obtainedfrom six firms .

An $8 million contract was awarded to a consortium of internationalsalvage firms headed by Smit Tak International Salvage Co. Ltd., of Rotterdam,Holland, and including the Fukada Salvage Company of Japan and Ulrich HarmsGmbh and Co. of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The advance parties of engineers from the consortium arrived inBangladesh on 26 October 1972 and prepared surveys together with a plan ofoperation for the demolition or salvage of the various sunken vesselsobstructing the approach channel and the Port of Chalna itself.

The operation was fully mobilized by the beginning of November 1972,and proceeded precisely according to plan. One of the wrecks was refloated.Because of : silting, the remaining five vessels had to be broken up under waterand lifted section by section. Working in almost total darkness in theswift-flowing, muddy Pussur River, divers placed small explosive charges onthe sunken wrecks to sever them into pieces which were afterwards lifted andlanded in a scrap area ashore. One diver '.from Yugoslavia lost his lifes inthis dangerous work.

(more)


Press SectionOffice of public Information

United Nations, N*Y«

(FOE USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA. — HOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/SM/187830 August 1975

TEXT OF STATEMENT BY SECRETARY-GENERAL ON AGREEMENT SIGNED IN NEW DELHI

Following is the text of a statement made by Secretary-General KurtWaldheim on the agreement signed in iTev Delhi regarding, the subcontinent:

"I warmly welcome the agreement which has been signed in Delhi, Theseproblems have been of great concern to the United Nations during the pastyears and have been discussed in detail during my trip to the sub-continentearly this year. I have then, and on many other occasions, expressed thethought that the mainly humanitarian consequences of the recent events shouldbe tackled first. I hope that this very welcome development will lead tofurther steps in settling ponding problems in the subcontinent*"

*** *




(FOR USE OF INFORMTION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release REF/638IHA/191

29 August 1973

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIOHEH FOR REFUGEES RESUMES

REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES IN SUB-CONTINENT

(The following is reproduced as received from the UHHCR, Geneva.)

The office of the United Nations Eigh Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)has resumed its repatriation operation ia the sub-continent. Specialflights have been arranged to repatriate Bengalis from Pakistan and strandedPakistanis from Nepal to their'respective homelands, at the request of theGovernments concerned.

A UWHCR charter plane began operations on 28 August on a triangularroute — Karachi-Dacea-Kathmandu-Karachi. This airlift covers a total of10,000 persons. A total of 5,000 Bengalis are being moved from Pakistanto Bangladesh, and 5,000 Pakistanis are being flown from Nepal to Pakistan.

The airlift was preceded by three simile r operations, two from Nepalto Pakistan, involving some 1,800 persons, and the third from Pakistan toBangladesh involving U50 persons. Meanwhile, the first few hundred personshave been moved on the new triangular route.

It will be recalled that the United Nations Secretary-General wasapproached by the Governments of Bangladesh and Pakistan with a requestfor assistance for the repatriation. The Secretary-General designated theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadruddin Aga Khan, to be theexecuting agent for this operation. As the Secretary-General had indicatedearlier, it was hoped that these limited transfers would pave the way forfurther movements.

The operation is being carried out in close co-operation with theInternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)3 which is providinginvaluable assistance particularly as regards the identification of personswho are to be repatriated.

* •::•*•::• a

U N I T E D R A T I O N S



(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — EOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/C/328IHA/187

8 August 1973

OMAN 3X3NKTE5_fe.?_OpQ. FOR ASSISTANCE TO DISPLACED. PEOPLE

IN BORDER AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Following is the 'text of a letter dated 27 July to Secretary-GeneralKurt ¥aldheim from Faisal Al-Said, Permanent Representative of Oman to theUnited Nations, regarding assistance to displaced people in the "border areasof Pakistan:

I wish to refer to Your Excellency's letter of April 19, 1973 numberS0560, drawing the attention of my Government to the plight of 1,2 milliondisplaced people in the border areas of Pakistan and expressing the hopethat Governments would find it possible to assist in the' United Nations nobleprogrammes for rehabilitating and resettling said people.

Upon instructions from my Government, I now have the pleasure to informYour Excellency that in response to your Excellency's appeal my Governmenthas decided to make a token contribution of US $1,000 towards meeting thecosts of these noble and critical programmes.

I avail myself of this opcrtunity to renew to Your Excellency theassurances of my highest consideration.

_y_ y -V.7f KTf



United Nations, N..Y.

(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA -- NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Note No. 381925 July 1973

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

A photo exhibit on the United Nations relief operation in Bangladeshwill be opened at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 2.6 July, in the public lobby of theGeneral Assembly building at Headquarters. The exhibit will be opened onbehalf of Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim by Sir Robert Jackson, Under-Secretary-General who is in over-all charge of the operation.

The relief operation in Bangladesh is the largest humanitarian undertakingever carried out by the United Nations. Aid began shortly after politicalstrife ended in December 1971* and it is still continuing today. In additionto food and shelter, the assistance programmes have provided medicines,vehicles and expert technical personnel.

The conflict in Bangladesh — a territory of 55,000. square miles and75 million people -- caused widespread damage to bridges, rail and road links,and ferry service within the country, as well as massive displacements ofpopulation. The two main ports of Chittagong and Chalna were closed becauseof sunken vessels.

In June 1971, the United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca (UNROD) wasestablished to help in planning, organizing and conducting humanitarianrelief activities, and to enable the Secretary-General to be in a positionto assure the international community that all relief supplies would reachtheir destinationc On 1 April 1973, UNROD was succeeded by the United NationsSpecial Relief Office in Bangladesh (UNROB).

Bangladesh submitted a formal request to the United Nations on8 September 1972, to clear the approach channel and port of Chalna. On2k October 1972, as depicted in one of the photos, a contract was signed atUnited Nations Headquaraters between Bangladesh and an international consortiumcomprised of salvage firms from the Netherlands, Japan, the Federal Republicof Germany and Singapore. The salvage task was completed on 9 May 1973? a few

weeks ahead cf schedule, at a cost saving of several hundred thousand dollars.Chalna is now operating at above its pre-war capacity.

(more)



United Nations,.N.Y.


Press Release ICJ/33319 July 1973

- WORLD COURT REACHES DECISION RELATING TO ITS JURISDICTION

IN CASE CONCERNING PAKISTANI PRISONERS OF WAR

Following is the text of a press communique issued on 16 July "by theRegistry of the International Court of Justice, The Hague:'

By an order dated 13 July 1973 the Court by 8 votes to U, has decided thatthe -written proceedings in the case concerning the Trial of Pakistani Prisonersof ¥ar (Pakistan versus India) shall first be addressed to the question of itsJurisdiction to entertain the dispute, and has fixed 1 October 1973 as thetime-limit for the filing of a Memorial by the Government of Pakistan and15 December 1973 as that for the filing of a Counter-Memorial by the Governmentof India. The subsequent procedure has been reserved for further decision.

In making this order the Court was composed as follows:

President Lachs; Judges Forster, Gros, Bengzon, Petren, Onyeama,Ignacio-Pinto, Morozov, Jimenez de Arechaga, Sir Humphrey Waldock,Nagendra Singh and Ruda.

Judge Nagendra Singh appended a separate opinion to the Order, andJudge Petren a dissenting opinion.

It will be recalled that on 11 May 1973 Pakistan filed an Applicationinstituting proceedings against India, and a request for the indication ofinterim measures of protection, relating to a dispute concerning accusationsof genocide made against 195 Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian interneesdetained in India.

By letters from the Ambassador of India at The Hague, dated 23 and 28 Mayand k June 1973 the Government of India refused to consent to the jurisdictionof the Court and gave its reasons.

On k, 5 and 26 June 1973 the Court held public hearings on the requestfor interim measures, at which the representatives of the Government ofPakistan were present and submitted observations.

The Government of Pakistan had chosen as judge ad hoc Sir MuhammadZafrulla Khan, who sat in the proceedings until 2 July 1973.

(more)


Free3 SectionOffice of Public Information




16 July 1973

SWEDEN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO BANGLADESH RELIEF OPERATION

Following is the text of a not 3 to t .3 Secretary-General dated 25 Junefrom the Acting Pe;.jianent Representative of Sweden, Kaj Sundberg, concerninga contribution to Unit',1 Nations Relic.!1 efforts in Bangladesh:

The Acting Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nationspresents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and,with reference to tse appeals for further contributions to the United NationsRelief Operation in Bangladesh (UNR03), has the honour to announce anadditional Swedish contribution in the amount of 500,000 Swedish Kroner* tobe used for the lightering operations undertaken by UNROB.

* **# *

* Approximately $115,000.





Press Release REF/68613 Jv-ly 1973

UNHCR ANNOUNCES TRANSFER OF BENGALIS FROM PAKISTAN TO BANC-LADF.SH

(The following is reproduced as received from UNHCR, Geneva.)

The United Kationc High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadruddin Aga Khan,announced today the Koveutent of 452 Bengalis from Pakistan to Bangladesh. TheBengalis vere flown, from Karachi to Dacca on four flights chartered by theHigh Commissioner on 11, 12 and 13 July* The last plane landed at 1420 hours,Dacca time, "bringing in 84 people.

In pursuance of his efforts to alleviate the humanitarian problemsresulting from the conflict in the subcontinent in 1971, United NationsSecretary-General Kurt "Waldheiia has designated High Commissioner Sadruddin AgaKhan to be Executing Agent for an operation to be undertaken b^ „ he United Nationsinvolving the repatriation of a limited number of Bengalis and Kistanis totheir respective homelands.

It is hoped that this transfer — vhich was carried out in closeco-operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross — will pave theway for further movements.

# *** *




(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — HOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release IB/31323 July 1973

/

IDA APPROVES $4 MILLION CREDIT TO BANGLADESH FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

(The following is reproduced as received from the IDA, Washington, D.C.)

The International Development Association (IDA), an affiliate of theWorld Bank, is providing $4 million to help Bangladesh in carrying out high-priority studies and other projects of technical assistance designed toassist the country in the planning and implementation of its programmes ofeconomic development and rehabilitation.

An important use of the credit funds will be for feasibility studies andother investigations required for preparing projects for financing by theBank Group or by other sources of assistance, with emphasis on projects inthe fields of agriculture and water resources development. In addition, theproceeds of the credit will be available for strengthening of institutionsresponsible for project planning and implementation, through the provisionof management assistance or staff training, and for more general studieswhich may be required prior to the preparation of specific projects.

Bangladesh's difficult development problems, aggravated by the eventsof the last two years, require high levels of technical assistance. A majorportion of the technical assistance needs is expected to be1 met by the UnitedNations Development Programme' (UNDP) and bilateral agencies. The Bank Groupis likely to provide some of the funds by adding technical assistancecomponents to various credits for regular projects. But this procedure willnot provide technical assistance funds as quickly or for such a broad rangeof activities as is necessary. The IDA credit of $4 million will help tofinance this type of high-priority technical assistance activities.

The IDA credit to the Government of Bangladesh is for a term of 50 years,including a 10-year grace period. It is interest free, except for a servicecharge of 3/k of 1 per cent to cover IDA administrative expenses.

# ### *




(FOR USE OP INFORMATION MEDIA. — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)


BANGLADESH RECEIVES $7,5 MILLION IDA CREDIT TO SET UP SEEDS INDUSTRY

(The following is reproduced as received from the IDA, ¥ashington, ,D;C0)

A credit of $7.5 million from the International Development Association(IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank, will assist Bangladesh in establishinga modern seeds industry, initially capable of producing about 12,000 tons ofhigh-yielding rice and wheat seeds a year.

The project is an important part of Bangladesh's efforts to increaseagricultural production through the adoption of new agricultural technologyand inputs. The project, when completed in 1978, will help B • '.ladesh toincrease its production of wheat and rice by 400,000 tons a j >- resultingin an annual foreign exchange savings of about $25 million.

Agriculture is Bangladesh's most important economic sector, producingmore than 55 per 'cent of the nation's gross domestic product and 80 per centof the employment. Rice cultivation provides about 35 per cent of the country'sfoodgrain requirements. Wheat, acreage, still very small, has been growingrapidly and wheat is likely to become a more significant part of foodgrainsupply. Although the land is fertile and the farmers industrious, anexcessively high, population density combined with traditional farmingtechniques result in food shortages and the necessity of using scarce foreignexchange resources to import foodgrains.

The Government of Bangladesh is evolving a development strategy whichconcentrates on increasing foodgrain production through the acceleratedspread of new high-yielding seeds, increased application of agriculturalinputs, particularly chemical fertilizers, and expansion of irrigationprimarily through tubewells and low-lift pumps.

The project being assisted by IDA includes the development of 17 farmsof the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation for the production offoundation and certified seeds; organization of a contract seed growerscheme covering about 5,000 acres in five areas; construction of six seedprocessing plants; provision of seed storage and marketing services;institution of a seed quality control service; further development of theBangladesh Rice Research Institute; and provision of training programmes andtechnical assistance.

(more)





Press Release IB/3129 '3 July 1973

IDA APPROVES $l8 MILLION CREDIT TO PAKISTAN FOR PORT DEVELOPMENT

(The following is reproduced as received from the IDA, Washington, D.C.)

The third World Bank Group lending operation for the expansion andimprovement of the port of Karachi has been approved with a $18 million Interna-tional Development Association (IDA) credit.

The project will cost approximately $3 .2 million and is designed toalleviate delays caused by the shortage of berths, thereby avoiding rapidlyrising costs of congestion which could be detrimental to Pakistan's foreigntrade. It includes reconstruction of lighterage berths to provide fourdeepwater cargo berths and two transit sheds; purchase of cargo handlingequipment; remodelling of a railway marshalling yard and storage area; andreplacement of a road bridge -- over 100 years old and in dangerous condition --which provides access to the east side of the port.

It also includes consultants' services for supervision of construction ofberths and the bridge, and for detailed /engineering for a new oil terminaland six additional dry cargo berths. Technical assistance will be providedfor dredging operations, implementation of a new accounting system, andimprovement of co-ordination between the port and railway operations in theKarachi area.

Karachi is the gateway for Pakistan's imports and exports and also handlessome of Afghanistan's foreign trade. Traffic has been rising steadily andlast year port congestion resulted in a loss of about 2,600 ship-days, valuedat $5*2 million. Additional berths provided under a previous World Bank-assisted project will alleviate the congestion. But without the new projectbeing assisted by IDA, congestion would again increase due to traffic growthand approach present levels in five years.

The IDA credit brings total Bank Group commitments for the port of Karachito $1*9.8 million. Two of the operations were World Bank loans and one was a$1 million IDA credit for engineering studies -- most of which is beingrefinanced under the current credit.

The credit is being made to Pakistan and most of the proceeds will berelent to the Trustees of the Port of Karachi, the organization that operatesthe port. The Government will use the remaining $250,000 of the credit forthe project's railway operations component. The credit is for 50 years,including a 10-year grace period, and is interest free except for a 3A °f1 per cent service charge to meet IDA's administrative expenses.






IDA APPROVES $25 MILLION CREDIT TO BANGLADESH FOR HIGHWAYS

• (The following is reproduced as received from the International DevelopmentAssociation, Washington, D.C.)

The International Development Association (IDA), of the World Bank Group,has approved a $25 million credit for a $1*0.1* million highways project inBangladesh*

The credit replaces an earlier credit of $22.5 million to Pakistan fora similar project. The project has been partially completed and $3.6 millionof the credit will be used to repay amounts disbursed under th*. ,. ^rlier credit.The new project is a modified version of the original and inclu- s completionof construction of a bridge over the Sitalakhya River about five miles east ofDacca on the road to Chittagong, completion of construction of 20 miles of thatroad south-east of Feni, and improvements to the damaged Surma River bridgein Sylhet in the Northeast.

In addition, the project will assist the Bangladesh Roads and HighwaysDirectorate through the construction of a headquarters building to replacescattered and unsuitable facilities; provision of space and tools for improvingequipment maintenance; a feasibility study of a second bridge over the SurmaRiver and prefeasibility studies of other high-priority river crossings;consulting services on ferry operations; equipment to improve ferry crossingson the Dacca-Chittagong road; and technical assistance and training.

The Sitalakhya bridge will replace a ferry crossing and reduce transittime and avoid higher cost ferry services needed to handle growing trafficvolume. The Feni highway section will shorten the road by about seven miles.The Surma River bridge repairs will eliminate long delays in crossing the narrowspan and remove the safety hazard of mixed pedestrian an<5[ motor traffic.

The IDA credit is for 50 years, including a 10-year grace period, and isinterest free except for a 3/^ of 1 per cent service charge to cover IDAfsadministrative expenses.


Press SectionOffice of Public Ir formation


(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AH OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release IB/509213 June 1973

IDA APPROVES $21 MILLION CREDIT FOR EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH

(The following is reproduced as received from the InternationalDevelopment Association, Washington, D.C. )

Bangladesh's efforts to increase the supply of trained manpowernecessary for the development of the country's agriculture and industrywill be assisted by a credit of $21 million from the InternationalDevelopment Association (IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank.-

The credit replaces two previous credits to Pakistan for the sameproject and $7-7 million of the new credit will be used to repay amountsdisbursed under the previous credits.

The IDA credit will help to finance an education project comprising theconstruction and provision of furniture and equipment for the expansion ofBangladesh's only Agricultural University at Mymensingh and for 13 technicalinstitutes located in important towns. The project also includes overseasfellowships for teaching staff of the Agricultural University and equipmentand technical assistance to upgrade the Technical Teacher Training Collegein Dacca, the nation1 s capital.

Training large numbers of technicians, both for agriculture and industry,is a matter of great importance for the development of Bangladesh. Theagricultural sector which provides livelihood to over 80 per cent of thepopulation requires an increasing number of properly trained agriculturalspecialists to serve as extension workers, researchers, farm managers andirrigation engineers. In addition, given the strong population pressure --Bangladesh,' s population of 75 million is growing at an annual rate of3 per cent — new jobs will have to be provided by other sectors, in order toabsorb the rural labor supply. Increased output from technical training /institutes will assist the progress of the industrial sector.

The project is scheduled for completion in 1978 at a total estimatedcost of $36. million. The IDA credit to the Government of Bangladesh isfor a term of 50 years including 10 years of grace. It will be interestfree, but will carry a service charge of 3A of 1 per cent per annum to coverIDA'S administrative costs.

.y. V V y .V.™ A A A f?





Press Release ICJ/3258 June 1973

WORLD COURT HEARS PRESENTATION BY PAKISTAN IN CASE

CONCERNING PAKISTANI PRISONERS OF WAR

The following information was communicated to the Press on 5 June bythe Registry of the International Court of Justice:

At the public hearings held by the Court on and 5 June 1973,J.G. Kharas, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands, Agent, andYahya Bakhtiar, Attorney-General of Pakistan, Chief Counsel, presented theobservations of the Government of Pakistan on that Government's request forthe indication of interim measures of protection in the case concerningTrial of Pakistani Prisoners of ¥ar (Pakistan v_. India).

The Government of Pakistan was also represented by S.T. Joshua,Secretary of Embassy, and Zahid Said, Deputy Legal Adviser, K 'stry ofForeign Affairs, as Deputy Agent and Counsel respectively.

The Government of India was not represented.s

At the beginning of the hearing of k June, Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan,who had been chosen by the Government of Pakistan to sit as judge ad_ hocin the case in accordance with Article 31 of the Statute of the Court, madethe solemn declaration provided for in Article 20 of the Statute.

The hearings of k and 5 June will be followed by a further public hearing,the date of which will be announced in due course.

T/i W'X" T/f




(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA -- WOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release ICEP/ll8oH/2288

30 May 1973

UHICEF AND WHO SIGN AGREEMENTS FOR $16.7 MILLION

WATEK SUPPL1' PRQOFiAMMB IN BANGLADESH

(The following is reproduced as received'from UNICEF, New York.)

Formal agreements for the largest rural water supply project inSouth-East Asia— the $16.7 million programme in Bangladesh assisted bythe United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) — were signed in Dacca today.

Faizuddin Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development,Local Government and Co-operatives of Bangladesh, signed the agreements --called Plans of Operation -- with representatives of UNICEF and the WorldHealth Organization (WHO).

Under this water supply project, 160,000 shallow tubewells will be sunkor rehabilitated. Eventually, the programme will provide clean drinkingwater for. half the rural population of Bangladesh.

Fifty per cent of Bangladesh's notified diseases result from impurewater and more than half their victims are children.

The UNICEF representative at the signing, Victor Beerman, said thatthis water supply project had aroused more interest than any other amongthe donor countries and national and voluntary agencies whose contributionsformed a large part of the $10.5 million UNICEF contribution.

Contributions specifically earmarked for water supply in Bangladeshhave come from Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, Norway, Swedenand the United States, as well as from private groups in Belgium, FederalRepublic of Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland and Australia.

# -JBHf *


Press SectionOffice of public Information

United Nations, H.Y.(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFicIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/177216 May 1973

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF UNITED NATIONS

CLEARANCE OPERATION OF FORT CHALNA, BANGLADESH'S SECOND LARGEST PORT

Port Now Operating Above Its Pre-War Capacity

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim today announced the completion ofthe $8 million port clearance operation carried out by the United Nationsat Chalna, Bangladesh. The operation was completed on 9 May, a weekahead of schedule and at rubstantially below the estimated cost. Withits completion, the port of Chalna, Bangladesh's second largest port andthe main outlet for the country's exports, is now operating ^at above itspre-war capacity. •

The operation was the largest of its kind since the Sues Canalclearance in 1957 carried out by the United Nations. Planniag • >gan in .October 1972 when the Government of Bangladesh requested Unite. — ^tassistance in removing the sunken vessels which had obstructed ^in the port since the end of the war in December 1971. A contract callingfor the removal of six major wrecks by mid-May 1973 was let to an inter-national consortium of salvage firms which mobilized equipment from theNetherlands, Japan, the Federal Republic of Germany and Singapore. Theoperation was planned and managed by UNROB, the United Nations ReliefOperation in Bangladesh.

One of the wrecks was refloated. Because of silting the remainingfive vessels had to be broken up under water and lifted section by section.Working in almost total obscurity in the swift-flowing, muddy Pussr River,divers placed small explosive charges on the vessels to cut them into piecesthat could be lifted and landed in a scrap area ashore. One diver lost hislife.

To lift the wrecks, two of the world's biggest floating cranes wereemployed, Taklift One, owned by the Smit-Tak International SalvageCompany of Rotterdam, and Nippon-Go, owned by the Fukada Salvage Companyof Tokyo. They were assisted by the four hundred ton capacity Magnus Four,owned by Ulrich Harms GMBH of Hamburg.

(more)





Press Release'SG/C/292IHA/172

5 April 1973

BELGIUM CONTRIBUTES TO RELIEF OPERATIONS IN BANGLADESH

Following is the text of a letter dated 22 March to the. Secretary-Generalfrom the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations concerningcontributions to the United Nations Relief Operations in Bangladesh (UNROB):

Original in French

La Mission permanente de la Belgique aupres des Nations Unies prSsenteses compliments au Secretaire General de I1Organisation des Nations Unieset a 1'honneur de 1'informer que par une decision approuv£e en conseil desMinistres le l6 mars 1973> lg Gouvernement beige a pris une nouvelledisposition concernant 1'assistance aux victimes des 6v§nements survenus auBangladesh. Cette disposition consiste dans le financement a concurrencemaximum de 3 millions de francs beiges d'un lot de pieces de rechange etd'equipement pour 1'aeroport de Dacca. Les pieces sont fabriquees par uneentreprise beige specialised dans ce genre de materiel.

La Mission permanente de la Belgique saisit cette occasion pourrenouveler au Secretaire general de 1'Organisation des Nations Unies1'assurance de sa tres haute consideration.

Unofficial Translation in English

The Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations presentshis compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has thehonour to inform him that the Belgian Government has, through a decisionapproved by its Council of Ministers on l6 March 1973, adopted a new provisionconcerning assistance to the victims of the events in Bangladesh. Thisprovision consists in the granting of up to 3 million Belgian francs for thefinancing of equipment and spare parts for the Dacca Airport. The spareparts are manufactured by a Belgian firm specializing in this kind of equipment.

The Permanent Representative of Belgium avails himself of this opportunityto renew to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the assurances ofhis highest consideration.

* #*•* *




(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA. — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release ND/53k April 1973

BANGLADESH CONTRIBUTES TO SPECIAL FUND FOR NICARAGUA

Following is the text of a letter dated 21 March to the Secretary-Generalfrom S.A. Karim, Permanent Observer of Bangladesh to the United Nations,regarding a contribution to the special fund for assistance to Nicaragua:

"I have the honour to refer to your note of 22 January 1975 containingyour appeal to the international community for support in helping to meetthe needs of the people of Nicaragua following the catastrophic earthquakewhich struck the city of Managua in December 1972.

"Although Bangladesh herself is engaged in a stupendous task ofreconstruction after the extensive damages caused to the economy during thewar of liberation, my Government has decided to make a token contribution of$10,000 to the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator's Fv as reliefand rehabilitation assistance for the people of Nicaragua.

"The Government and people of Bangladesh take this opportunity toexpress their deepest sympathy and concern for the tragedy which hasafflicted the people of Nicaragua,"

•###





Press Release SG/C/291GAA733*

k April 1973

PAKISTAN TO CONTRIBUTE $3,000 TO UNITED NATIONS

TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim has been informed by the PermanentRepresentative of Pakistan to the United Nations that the Government ofPakistan has decided to contribute $3jOOO to the United Nations TrustFund for South Africa, established under General Assembly resolution 205 B(XX) of 15 December 1965.

« jf V . V.7V 71 YV

* Press Releases GA/14-331 and GA/^332 dated 28 March and 3 April shouldhave been numbered GA/4731 and GA/^732 respectively.

U N I T E D R A T I O N S



(FOR USE OF INFOPM.fiION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

* Press Release IB/302230 March 1973

IDA GRANTS $23.35 MILLION IN CREDIT FOR..WATER PROJECT IN BANGLADESH

(The following is reproduced as received from, the InternationalDevelopment Association, Washington, D.C.)

. Bangladesh will be able to complete interrupted projects for improvingwater supply in two principal cities •— Dacca, the capital, and Chittagong,-the main po 't — and preparing feasibility studies and designs for possiblefuture irrigation and flood control projects, with the help of thres creditstotalling $23*35 million from the International Development Association (IDA),an affiliate of the World Bank.

The credits replace three previous credits to Pakistan for the same projects.Of the credits, $11.Ij- million will be used to repay amounts d- .urS'2d underthe former credits.

Two IDA credits of $13.2 million and $7.0 million will be devoted to theDacca and Chittagong water supply projects^ respectively. These projects wereinitiated in 1963, at which tine only about one-third of the populationreceived any public water services, and the major part of the population hadto rely on inadequate and expensive private facilities which constituted aserious problem to public health.

"When completed in 1975 > the Dacca and Chittagong water supply projectswill provide continuous on-premise water supply to JO per cent of thepopxilation of the two cities. The rest of tne population will be served bystreet hydrants being installed. The Dacca project included a sewerage elementto provide services to about 60 per cent of its estimated population, ascompared to 10 per cent-when the project was initiated.

The main components of the $-1-1,6 million Dacca project are construction ofk6 tubewells, 170 miles of water distribution pipes, improvements in anexisting surface water treatment plant to double its capacity, 20,000 newwater connexions and 1;500 street hydrants, construction of a new sewagetreatment plant, and 150 miles of sewers. The water supply portion of theproject is now abcut 75 Pe^ cent completed and the sewerage portion about^5 per cent,

(more)

U 3T I T E D N A T I O N S

Press Section . • • - • . • •Office of Public Information ' "" ,

Unit ad Hat ions, IT. Y.

(FOR USE OF iKFastfATiosr MEDIA ~ NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD) '

Press Belease IEA/1T123 March .1973 . • . •

AUSTRALIA. NEW ZEALAND, tgCmSD STAKES AMD SEC IffiSPOffl) TO APPEAL

• BY SECRETAPY-GENSRAX ON FOOD GRAINS FOR BANGLADESH

Recent appeals by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim for the shipment offood grains to Bangladesh have been answered so far by concrete pledges ofassistance from New Zealand, the United States and the European EconomicCommunity (EEC), as well'as by a proird.se from Australia that a firm offerof wheat would be made before June.

New Zealand has informed the Secretary-General that it would contribute$.TE 100,000 ($155,062) in cash to the Government of Bangladesh for grainpurchases, and that another $3tfZ 50,000 ($67,531) would be made available tothe United Nations to help pay for food distribution. The United Etatesoffer was of $2,500,000 to the Secretary-General for foreign exchange costsrelated to general relief purposes. The EEC promised 175)000 tons of foodgrains,- without prejudice to contributions which its individual membersmight make in, the future. : -

United Nations relief efforts in Bangladesh axe the responsibility ofthe.United Nations Special Relief Office in Bangladesh (UKROB), whichrecently tock over certain functions of the ssz-iier United Hations Relief .-Operation in Dacca' (UNROD). . ' . ;..

The communications to the Secretary-General conveying these offers areas follows j ' .

Letter of 2 March from Permanent Representative of AustraliaSir Lawrence.R. Mclntyre

"The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. E. G. Whitlam, has asked me toacknowledge your telegram of $ifa January, 1975> in which you stressed theurgent requirement for continuation throughout 1975 of assistance in thesupply of food, grains to Bangladesh. • . • ••

' "Following consultations with his Cabinet colleagues, the Prime Ministerhas agreed that Australia should convey a firm offer of wheat to theBangladesh Government for shipment prior to June 1975- Consultations arecurrently being conducted on.the proposed food aid transaction and advice onthe quantities of wheat involved is expected shortly. Australia.will, ofcourse, be meeting the full freight costs of the shipment.

"Australia has also indicated to the Bangladesh Government its intentionof providing not less than 5 ,000 metric tons of wheat to Bangladesh in thefinancial year beginning 1st July, 1973-n.

(more)

... U N I T E D IT A T I 0 N B


. . . United Nations, N.Y.

(FOR USE OF ESFCSVAIION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL EECGRr)

' Press Release ICEF/1151*.2 .March 1973

MASSIVE CAMPAIGN BEGINS AGAINS? "BLINDNESS IN

(The following is reproduced as received from UNICEF, New York. )

The first nation-wide campaign against a form of preventable blindnesssmcng children caused by vitamin A deficiency has begun in Bangladesh. The•affliction took the sight of 150,000 children in Bangladesh last year.

The Bangladesh campaign is distributing high-potency doses of vitamin Ato the count ry'-'s 15 million children under six years of age before themonsoons set in at the end of May.

The dosages, contained in pear-shaped capsules no larger than thenail of a little finger and worth about 0.7 cents each, repre ••- nt a six -monthsupply of the vitamin. The campaign plans to distribute cape „ .-"atsix -monthly intervals for the next three years. .

Dr. Wadie Kara el, an international expert who has just returned from helpingto implement the campaign in Bangladesh said today he ;felt confident it wouldmean the end of widespread child blindness there.

Associated with malnutrition and under-nourishrtent among children, thisaffliction is widespread in the developing world, but is particularly severein Bangladesh where chronic deprivation was exacerbated by the hostilitiesof 1971.

The campaign began in January and 3 million children are already protectedagainst this form of blindness which results from disintegration of thecornea. Although it can be stopped if caught in the earlier stages, itseffects once the cornea has begun to break down axe irreversible.

Although vitamin A deficiency is most devastating to the eyes, it alsoaffects other organs of the body, the skin and gastro-intestinal andrespiratory lining and contributes to a retarded physical growth andshortened life-span of children affected by it.

(more)





Press Release ICEF/115112 March 1973

UNICEF ANNOUNCES FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO REHABILITM'ION PROGRAMME

OF DISPLACED WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN

(The following is reproduced as received from UNICEF,'Hew York*)

On 13 March 1973, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children'sFund (UNICEF), Henry R. Labouisee, announced further contributions to theUNICEF programme to assist the Government of Pakistan in the rehabilitationof displaced woansn and children in the Punjab and Sind Provinces who havereturned to their villages. The contributions came from the Governments ofthe Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Government of the Netherlands has made a second contribution in theamount of 100,000 florins (equivalent to approximately $3*4-;000) for thispurpose, bringing the total sum contributed to over $65,000.

The Government of Switzerland also made its second contribution for thisprogramme — 50,000 Swiss francs (equivalent to approximately $13,625).The total of the Swiss Government contributions is approximately $l|-0,000.

Mr. Labouisse expressed UNICEF's sincere gratitude for these new contribu-tions and expressed the hope that other Governments would follow their example.

# #•*# #

U H I T E D N A T I O N S


United ITations, II.Y.

(FOR USE OF IHBOF .TION MEDIA -- HOE AN OFFICIAL PSCORD)

Press Release ICSF/11502 March 1973

AUSTPALIAN . BSBrO.->f-F30M:-IlUN05R CAMPAIGN PLATES SJ!.33,921 TO UHICEF 70R

WATER PROJECTS IN JflPIA AKTJ BANGLADESH

(Hie folio-wing is reproduced as received from UKICEF.)

Tlie Australian Freedom-from-Hun^er Campaign (AFFHC) has contributed$US '1-33,921 to the United Nations Children's Fund (UKICEF) for ruralware.: supply projects in India and Bangladesh, it was announced at UNICEFheadquarters today.

ing a ceremony at Canisius College in Sydney, Australia, on?'".- F i-ruaryj, a cheque in the amount of ?A 3 1, 600 (equivalent to JG 4o3,92l):rvas -oresented by Neil Batt, President of the 'AFFHC, to Frank Bauman, UKICEF

s for Australia and Nsw Zealand.

s contribution represents AFFHC support from funds raio .d in theirlfciii for the following USICEF-assisted projects:

-- $A 230,000 ($US 325 825) Bangladesh rural water supply programme inTangail district. These funds will coverUIflCi'i?*s total undertaking in Tangail of thesinking and resinking of approximately 5*000shallow tubewells and installation of handpumps. Each tuv,ewell is designed to providesafe drinking water for a population ofabout 200; and

— yA .Ml, 600 ($US 158,096) India rural water supply programme in theStates of Tamil Nadu and Madh.ya Pradesh.This amount represents' the last installmentpayment of the total AFFSC support of$US 888,000 pledged over a four-year periodwhich has been utilized to purchase some ofthe drilling rigs needed to drill borewellsthrough the hard rock encountered in thewater scarcity areas of these two States, towhich the programme is geared.

These water supply projects are a vital necessity to provide clean waterto rural communities where water is scarce or contaminated.

For its continuing strong support, UNICEF has expressed its deep gratitudeto the AFF17C, which has contributed over $US 1,700,000 to UNICEF over thelast 5 years .




(FOR USE OP INFORMATION MEDIA -- NOT AN OFFICIAL BECORD)

Press Release FAO/238926 February 1973

INDICATIVE PRICES FOR JUTE MAINTAINED

FAQ Group Cites Improved Situation in Bangladesh

(The following is reproduced as received from FAO, Rome.)

Considerable improvement in world jute market conditions since Octoberlast is reported by the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and AlliedFibres, a body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in a reviewof the 1972/1973 season.

The Group, which has just concluded a three-day meeting in Rome, alsonoted in its final report that "although world import demand for fibre wasexpected to be slightly less in 1972/1973 than it had been in the previousseason due to a continued decrease< in the mill activity of the developedcountries, the rate of decline varied from country to country and there weresome ground for moderate optimism".

However, the Group noted that, in the Federal Republic of Germany inparticular and in France, the rapid decline in raw jute imports and in millactivity continued. In France the production of both yarn and woven goodswas lower, although this was partly offset by a 20 per cent rise in goodsimports; but the long-term situation there was not considered favourable incertain end uses since there had been a large decline in requirements in suchend uses as jute bags for sugar, cereal, fertilizer and chemicals. In the•Federal Republic of Germany all the major indicators of jute activity wereheavily down, and in North America, too, erosion by synthetics of the marketfor carpet backing and hessian had sharply accelerated in the most recent period.

Estimated export availabilities (905,000 metric tons) in the 1972/1973season were expected to be more than sufficient to meet world import requirements,Increased production and considerable improvement of the transport problemsin Bangladesh -- the main producer — had been among the principal factorswhich had brought about the improvement in market conditions. The effortsof the Government of Bangladesh had thus succeeded in keeping jute exportprices with, n the indicative range recommended by the Group -- L109 sterlingplus or minus L6 per long ton F.O.B. Chittagong/Chalna for BWT/BTD grades.

(more)




(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA. — NOT AW OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release IB/29 627 November 1972

IDA APPROVES $50 MILLION CREDIT TO BANGLADESH FOR RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

(The following is reproduced as received from the International DevelopmentAssociation, Washington, D.C.)

The International Development Association (IDA), an affiliate of theWorld Bank, vill provide a credit of $50 million to Bangladesh to assist theGovernment's efforts to reconstruct key sectors of the economy following thedevastation caused by the cyclone of 1970 and the conflicts of 1971* Thefunds, which will be used primarily in the agricultural, industrial, transportand telecommunications sectors, will finance imports vitally needed to restoreproductive capacity and increase levels of output.

The economy of Bangladesh is recovering from the setbacks of 1970 and1971• Although the most pressing short-term relief needs appear to have beenmet, it will be some time before levels of production and income can berestored to satisfactory levels. An encouraging start has been made; areconstruction programme has been formulated and work on it begun; and a numberof high priority development projects have been resumed. The Government hasprepared an annual plan for 1972/73 concentrating on restoring the economyto pre-1970 levels.. Work has begun on the preparation of a medium-term plan,which will tackle broader questions of policy, and contribute to the formulationand selection of new development projects.

The IDA credit will complement other bilateral and multilateral assistanceand will form part of an international effort to assist Bangladesh in itsreconstruction programme. The credit is for a term of 50 years. It is interest-free but will carry a service charge of 3/4 °? 1 per cent to meet IDATsadministrative costs. The categories of goods eligible for financing underthe credit include fertilizer, irrigation equipment, transportation equipment,telecommunication equipment, industrial raw materials and spare parts, andconstruction materials. It is expected that the IDA credit will be fullyutilized by September 1974.

The $50 million reconstruction programme credit is the first entirely newIDA credit to Bangladesh since Bangladesh joined the World Bank and the IDAin August 1972. In addition, IDA and Bangladesh have so far reactivated fourprojects begun before Bangladesh's independence, with total financing from IDAof about $59 million.



United Nations, N. Y.


Press Release FAO/2369WFP/316

27 October 1972

WFP AGREES IN PRINCIPLE ON FJRTII5R FOOD AID FOR BANGIADESH

(The following is reproduced as received from FAO, Rome.)

Additional food aid to Bangladesh to assist with the post-emergencysituation and promote development was agreed In principle today by thegoverning body of the World Food Programme, currently meeting in Rome.

The WFP is a joint United Nations/Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) undertaking that usually offers aid only to members of one of itscomponent bodies. Bangladesh is not a member of either, but belongs toseveral United Nations organisations, it is already receiving aid from theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and has applied to the FAO formembership. The application will be considered when the FAO Conferenceconvenes in November 1973.

The Executive Director of the WFP, Francisco Aquino, told the 2^-memberInter-Governjiental Committee that the request for food aid was being madebecause the United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca (UNROD), which has beenco-ordinating emergency aid (including some WFP food aid) for Bangladesh,was planned to be phased out at the end of March.

Sir Robert Jackson, Under Secretary-General in over-all charge of UNROD,had had talks with both the FAO and the WFP on the possibility of continuingfood aid, Ilr. Aquino said.

Six delegations spoke in support of the request. The Federal Republic ofGermany asked that" WFP projects-be "for the advantage of all groups".

ffTV"





Precs Release FAO/2370WP/317

27 October 1972

WFP APPROVES $15 MILLION IN,FOOD AID FOR DISPLACED PAKISTANIS

(The following is reproduced as received from FAO, Rome;)

A 2^-nation committee in Rome today authorized $15.2 million in food aidto Pakistan to help resettle 700,000 persons displaced as a result of the Indo

conflict last year.

The Intergovernmental Committee of the World Food Programme (WFP)approved a food-for-wcrk project to rehabilitate farm life in areas in thePunjab Province when the people return to their homes.

The returning farmers will receive food rations over a pe jd ofeight and one-half months while working to restore land, dwell. " ;$s, roadsand irrigation facilities. The ration consists of wheat, caizt, pulses, sugarand vegetable oil. Maize is intended for feeding cattle essential forploughing and draft work.

The Executive Director of the WPP, Francisco Aquino, expressed hisappreciation of the manner in which the Committee had responded to an urgentsituation by deciding to waive the normal six-week notice required forconsidering project requests.

The ¥FP is sponsored jointly by the United Nations and the Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO). It uses food for promoting economic and socialdevelopment.

«





Press Release- SG/1770IHA/150

2k October 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CLEARANCE

' ' OF SUNKEN VESSELS FROM CHALNA PORT, BANGLADESH

The Secretary-General announced today the award of contract by the UnitedNations for the clearance of sunken vessels from the approach .channel toChalna Port, Bangladesh.

Having completed one of the most carefully considered contract selectionprocesses ever undertaken by the United Nations and after obtaining theconcurrence of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the task of clearing ChalnaPort has been awarded to a consortium of highly qualified interr-tion&l salvagefirms headed by Smit Tak International Salvage Co. Ltd., of Rot dam, Holland,and including Fukada Salvage Company,'Ltd. , of Japan, Ulrich Ha-"" Grabh and Co.,of. Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, and Michael J, Batty ana AssociatesLtd. of Singapore.

The Government of Bangladesh submitted a formal request to the UnitedNations on 8 September 1972 for the clearance of the approach channel and Portof Chalna, Bangladesh. Chalna is one of the country's two principal ports andits re-opening is considered essential to ensure the smooth flow of reliefsupplies and the establishment of a viable-Bangladesh economy.

The United Nations considered that the salvage and clearance work involvedwas of a relief nature and the United Nations could respond to the requestwith the utmost urgency within the available financial resources of the UnitedNations Relief Operations in Dacca (UI\ROD).

Within a matter of days after the Government's request was received byUNROD in New York, Captain U.F. Searle, Jr., a salvage expert of internationalreputation, was dispatched by the United Nations to Bangladesh. After athorough inspection of all the sunken ships in Chalna Port and conferences withthe Government of Bangladesh, Captain Searle submitted his report and recommenda-tions to UNROD.

On 19 September, the major ship salvage firms of the world were invited tobid on the work. Twenty-two firms in 15 countries were solicited. Responseswere received from six firms. After three weeks of careful analysis andconsideration, followed by in-depth negotiations, the optimum plan representing

(more)




(FOE USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/1769FAO/2 65

6 October 1972

SPECIAL AGRICULTURAL GROUP FORMED TO EVALUATE FUTURE FOODGRAIN CROPS

IN BANGLADESH

(The following is being released in New York and Rome)

In agreement with the Government of Bangladesh, United NationsSecretary-General Kurt Waldheim and Addeke H. Boerma, Director-General ofthe Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), today announced the formationof a special agricultural group to evaluate future foodgrain crops inBangladesh.

The group, formed after consultation with the Government of Bangladeshand with all interested agencies of the United Nations, will be headed byG. Robert Chandler, Jr., an internationally-known authority on rice.

In making the announcement, United Nations officials said that, by theend of this year, the international community will have delivered toBangladesh about 2.5 million tons of wheat and rice — in response to urgentappeals by the Secretary-General and as a result of bilateral arrangements.

The purpose of the special group will be to evaluate future harvests inBangladesh, particularly the aman crop which yields approximately 60 per centof total domestic production, as a means of estimating import requirementsfor 1973.

The information compiled by the group will have a direct bearing onplanning not only total requirements but also in beginning to schedulenecessary imports. The estimates provided will also permit interestedgovernments to programme future foodgrain commitments to Bangladesh.

The special agricultural group is scheduled to be mobilized about themiddle of October. It will consist of expert staff serving with theGovernment of Bangladesh, as well as staff from United Nations specializedagencies such as FAO, the International Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

(ncre)


Press SectionOffice of Fablic Information


(?OR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL 1IECOED)

Pre&jr Release QZ/C/2&S.IHA/145

22 September 1972

TEXT OF LETTER TO SECRETARY~GENSRAL FROM i USTRIA

REGARDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO FAKXgTAl

Following is the text of a letter dated Ik September to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from Peter Jankowitsch, Permanent Representative of Austriato the United Nations, concerning humanitarian assistance to Pakistan;

"With reference to the appeals made by you in order to meet the urgentneeds for humanitarian assistance in. Pakistan, contained in your letters ofJune 2? and August 1, and repeated during a meeting of potential donors onAugust 3, I have the honour to inform you that the Austrian FederalGovernment has decided to contribute, in response to your appeal, the amountof US $10,000,-.

"Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.M

# #•** *




(FOR USE 0? INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)


25 August 1972

TEXT OF LETTER TO SECRETARY-GENERAL FROM NETHERLANDS

REGARDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN

Following is the text of a letter dated 18 August to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from Christoph A. van des> KLaauw, Charge d'affaires of the PermanentMission of the Netherlands to the United Nations, concerning humanitarian assistanceto Pakistan:

"The Netherlands Government has instructed me to inform you that in replyto your appeal for help in meeting the needs for humanitarian assistance in the"border areas of Pakistan it has decided to make a contribution to the amount ofone hundred thousand Netherlands guilders.*

"The amount has been transmitted on August 1?, 1972, to the UNICEF accountwith the Amsterdam-Rotterdam Bank N«V. in Amsterdam, no. 41.64.59*013."

* #*# *

* Equivalent to $US 51,250.





Press Release SG/SM/1725IHA/132

12 July 19T2

TEXT OF LETTER TO SECRETARY-GENERAL FROM FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

REGARDING AID TO BANGLADESH

Following is the text of a letter dated 3 July to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Observer of the Federal Republic of Germanyto the United Nations, Walter Gehlho.ff, regarding a voluntary contributionfor aid to Bangladesh:

"In response to your appeal of 31 'May 1972 for further contributionsto meet the relief requirements of Bangladesh I have the honour to informyou that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has decided tomake an additional grant of 15 million Deutschmarks (approximately US $ 4.7million). Of this amount IK8 million Deutschmarks will be rcadf vailablefor specified relief programmes of UNROD and UNICEF, the reicaii " $ 10.2million Deutschmarks for financing bilateral relief programmes and reliefprogrammes carried out by German charitable organisations.

"This new grant brings the total contribution of the Federal Republicof Germany towards meeting the relief requirements of 'drigladesh to 52-772million Leutschuiarks (s.pprcxiuately US $ 16.6 million)."

* •£*# *





Note No. 37545 July 1972


The following statement was made by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheimin Geneva on 5 July on the agreement between India and Pakistan reached atSimla, a United Nations spokesman said today:

"I welcomed the joint statement of the Prime Minister of India and thePresident of Pakistan, which I have read with great interest and close attention.The agreement reached in Simla represents in my opinion an essential first stepon the long and necessarily arduous road to peace on the sub-continent. Thejoint statement encourages me to believe that the solution of these yetunresolved problems will be facilitated by this important step."

* *** *





Press Release SG/SM/17l3/Rev.l*IHA/128/Rev.l

3 July 1972

TEXT OF LETTER FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS

ON EMERGENCY RELIEF MEASURES IN PAKISTAN

Following is the text of letter dated 2J June from Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim to certain Member States regarding emergency relief measuresin Pakistan;

Sir,

The international community has been seriously concerned about thesizable number of Pakistan nationals displaced as a result of militaryactivities in the border areas of Pakistan in December 19T1- I fully sharethis concern and I am mindful, in this regard, that one of the purposes ofthe United Nations is "to achieve international co-operation in solvinginternational problems of ... a humanitarian character". I ther- -re feelthat the United Nations has a vital role to play in alleviating •• serioushardship and suffering which these displaced persons are experiej.. ing.

It will be recalled that Mr. Vittorio Winspeare Guicciardi, my SpecialRepresentative for the solution of humanitarian problems under Security Councilresolution 30? (1971) of 21 December 1971, studied this problem during hissecond visit to the subcontinent and reported what further concerted actionmight be taken by the United Nations family of organizations (.S/10512/Aad.i;.It was clear from his report that while the Government infrastructure and localresources were fully engaged and contributing actively, neither local nornational means were adequate to meet the magnitude of the need.

United Nations agencies and programmes as well as a number of donorGovernments have been active, in co-operation with the competent authorities,in channeling assistance to the displaced persons. Much of the relief effortin Pakistan has been co-ordinated by periodic meetings of the United Nationsagencies involved, representatives of certain donor countries, and of otherorganizations engaged in providing assistance which were organized by theOfficer-in-Charge of the United Nations Development Programme in Islamabad.Donations and pledges have included, among other resources, emergency food,medicine and shelter from these sources.

(more)

* The revision to SG/SM/1718-IHA/128 of 30 June concerns the heading andthe lead paragraph.




(FOE USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA -- NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Note No. 375328 June 1972


The following statement was made today by a United Nations spokesmanon the India-Pakistan summit meeting:

"The Secretary-General -welcomes this most encouraging development andvery much hopes that the discussions will facilitate the solution of themany and serious problems of the sub-continent."

_v y yW A IV





Press Release22 June 1972

BANGLADESH JOINS INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION

(The following is reproduced as received from ILO, Geneva,)

Bangladesh was today elected to membership in the International LabourOrganisation (ILO) by the International Labour Conference meeting in Geneva.

The Conference received a letter from the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh,Mr. Abdus Sarnad Azad, stating that his Government accepted the obligations ofthe Constitution of the ILO and continued to recognize 29 international labourconventions that were in effect for Bangladesh at the time of its declarationof independence,

Bangladesh is a member of the World Health Organization, the United NationsConference on Trade and Development and the International Monetary Fund, but .not of the -United Nations itself, and for this reason its application for ILOmembership required a decision by the International Labour Conference.

The ILO now has 123 member States.

* #«* -*





Press Release IHA/124ICEF/1132

23 May 1972

CANADIANS DONATE TO UNICSF BANGLADESK-PROGRAMME

(The following is reproduced as received from UNICEF.)

A special contribution of $85,800 for the United Nations Children's Fund(UNICEF) relief and rehabilitation programme in Bangladesh has been donated bythe Canadian UNICEF Committee, UNICEF headquarters announced today.

The Contribution was made possible by a grant to the Canadian UNICEFCommittee from the Canadian International Development Agency and is to be usedfor operational costs, including handling and distribution associated with theUNICEF Child Feeding Programme in Bangladesh.

The $30 million programme for Bangladesh — the largest such undertakingin UNICEF1s history — is xpart of the over-all United Nations effort co-ordinated by the United Nations relief operation in Dacca (UNROD).

While aiding nearly 10 million returned Bengali refugees and an evengreater number who suffered displacement and privation inside the country,UNICEF has a special responsibility: nore than 50 per cent of the population isunder 15 years of age. These children and their mothers are the most vulnerableto the unprecedented series of calamities that have stricken the alreadyimpoverished country.

Bangladesh relief is still in the emergency phase — with an extra urgencyadded by the "race to stockpile supplies around the country before the delugeof monsoon rains (from late May through September) makes transport impossible invast areas. UNICEF1s priorities in Bangladesh are child feeding, transport,clean water supply, mother and child health and aid to education.

Using the school system as a base to reach every pe.rt of Bangladesh,UNICEF has set up a network of child feeding stations -v&ich are expected toreach some k- million children by September.

# rV v v.TR A K



United Nations, II.Y.


Press Release SG/C/2^5IHA/123

17 May 1972

TEXT _OF^LETTER. TO S.ECRFJ?ARY-G^IERAL FROM

ON CONTRIBUTION TO BANGLADESH RELIEF

FoLlowiiig is the text of a letter dated 12 May to Secretary-GeneralKurt T-feldheim from the Permanent Observer of Switzerland to the United Nationsregarding a contribution to relief operations in Bangladesh:

Text in French

LTObservateur permanent de la Suisse aupres des Nations Unies presenteses compliments au Secretaire general, de 1'Organisation dec Nations Unies eta 1'honneur de lui faire savoir que le Conssil federal suisse, s reponse a1'appel du Secretaire general en faveur de 1Toperation de secoui " *es NationsUnies au Baiigla Desh, a decide de faire un don a 1'UNROD de la v&Jeur de$750,000 (dollars sept cent cinquante rnille). Ce montant sera verse ces joursa la "Chemical Bank New York" sur le cccapte de 1TUNROD.

L'Observateur permanent de la Suisse saisit cette occasion pour renouvelerau Secretaire general de lrOrganisation des Nations Unies les assurances desa tres haute consideration.

Translation in English

The Permanent Observer cf Switzerland to the United Nations presents hiscompliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has the honourto inform him that the Swiss Federal Council lias decided, in answer to theSecretary-General's appeal for the United Nations relief operations, in Bangladesh,to grant UNROD $750,000. This amount will be deposited in the next few days tothe UNROD account at the Chemical Bank, New York.

The Permanent Observer of Switzerland takes this opportunity to renew tothe Secretary-General of the United Nations the assurances of his highestconsideration.





Press Release SG/C/2UJIHA/122

1 May 1972

JAPAN ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION CONTRIBUTION FOR RELIEF IN EACCA AREAi

Following the Secretary-GeneralTs appeals of 15 and 25 February forfurther contributions in support of the United Nations relief operation inDacca (UNROD), and in view of the magnitude of the needs in the area, theSecretary-General on 5 April made a specific appeal to the Government ofJapan for further cash contributions to the UHROD programme.

In response to these appeals, the Permanent Representative of Japan,Toru Nakagawa, informed the Secretary-General on 17 April that .his Governmenthad decided to make available to the.United Nations an amount of cashequivalent to $US8 million as its additional contribution to UHROD.

The specific purposes for which these funds will be used will bedetermined by the United Nations, in accordance with its regulations andprocedures, on the general basis of the projection .of requirements preparedby UNROD. In his letter of 5 April the Secretary-General mentioned a numberof urgent specific requirements for which a portion of the funds supplied; bythe Government of Japan might be employed,, including repairs of theGhorasal fertiliser plant, procurement of transport equipment, and thepossibility of defraying the cost of transporting relief supplies.

The Secretary-General has expressed his gratitude for this most generousfurther contribution from the Government of Japan.

*



United Nations, H.Y,


Press Release SC-/SM/1682na/121

2k April 1972

TEXT_OF_i;E'rTEIl.TO SBCRETARY-GEEERAL FROM UNITED KINGDOM,

ON RELIEF OPERATIONS IN BAHGLflJESH

Following is the text of a letter dated 17 April to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to theUnitsd Nations, Sir Colin Crowe, regarding relief operations in Bangladesh:

My dear Secretary-General,

SEA TRUCKS AT BANGLADESH

I have been asked to pass you the following message from e PrimeMinister. It just missed you in Santiago. «

"Daring our talk last Monday you suggested we might be able to helpovercome the shortage of marine transport in Bangladesh by providing 12 seatrucks. I am. glad to tell you that we can meet this requirement and theBritish Pligh Commission in Dacca will inform the Bangladesh Government andyour relief organisation that we shall be supplying them as soon as possible.The manufacturers hope to provide the first sea truck by 27 April and we shallfly it out at the earliest opportunity. Thereafter the makers hope to producetwo a week and we shall likewise send these by air as they become available."

My staff will as usual be in touch with UNROD here about details overthese and other deliveries.




(FOR uss OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)


21 April 1972

TEXT ..OF LETTER FROM CANADA TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

ON CONTRIBUTION TO BANGIADESH RELIEF OPERATIONS

Following is the text of a letter dated 21 April to Secretary-GeneralKurt ¥aldheim from the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations,Yvon Beaulne, regarding contributions to the relief operations in Bangladesh:

Excellency,

I vrote on March 27 to inform you of the additional $5 million which theGovernment of Canada is making available for refugee and relief operations inIndia and Bangladesh which you kindly acknowledged in your letter of April 7»

Today I have the honour and pleasure of handing over to you personallytwo cheques totalling $3 million for relief operations within the United Nationssystem in Bangladesh. (The other $2 million has been sent directly to theUNHCR..) The first is a $1 million cheque made out to UNROD to be utilized atthe discretion of that organisation. The other is a cheque for $2 million"payable to UNICEF to provide roofing materials and school supplies forBangladesh.

It would be appreciated if, at a convenient time in the future, a. "break-down of the disbursement of these funds could be made available to theGovernment of Canada.

Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration*




(FOR uss OF INFORMATION MEDIA. — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD )

Note No,17 April 1972

NOTE TO CORRESPOKDEFJ

In two Press Releases dated Ik April 1972 relating to the United NationsRelief Operation in Dacca (SG/A/121-IHA/118 and IH&/119) the name "Bangladesh"has been used. In this connexion, the position of the Secretary-Generalis as stated in a note included in his report of 26 February 1972 to theSecurity Council on the good offices mission of his Special Representativefor Humanitarian Problems under Security Council resolution J07 (l97l)«This note reads as follows :

"The competent organs of the United Nations, which alonecan decide on the status of the area vis-a-vis the Organization,have not yet expressed themselves on the matter. The name"Bangladesh", as used by the authorities in control of the area,is therefore used in this report without any legal or pol' "calconnotations . "

###




(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT ATI OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/A/121IHA/118

1 14 April 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES APPOIMMFJTT OF NSW CHIEF OF MISSION

FOR UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim announced today further steps to reinforcethe United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca (UNEOD). Through the good officesof the Swiss Government, the Secretary-General has obtained the services ofVictor H. Umbricht as Chief of Mission of UNROD in succession to Toni Hagen,.the present Chief of Mission.

Mr. Umbricht, who is a member of the Board of Ciba-Geigy, Basle, hasbeen released by the Board of Ciba-Geigy at the request of the Secretary-Generaland the Swiss Government for an extended period of service with UNROD. TheSecretary-General expresses his appreciation for their co-operation.

On Tuesday, 12 April 1972, in Dacca, Sir Robert Jackson, Under-Secretary-General in over-all charge of the operation at United Nations Headquarters(see Press Release SG/A/112-IHA/lli*of 23 March 1972), personally conveyed theSecretary-General's nomination of Mr. Umbricht to the Prime Minister ofBangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who welcomed Mr. Umbricht's appointment.

Mr. Umbricht will take charge in Bangladesh of all the work and operationscarried out by UNROD and in this capacity will work in partnership withSir Robert Jackson, who will continue to be responsible to the Secretary-General for all policy aspects of UWEOD and for the over-all co-ordination ofthat work with the United Nations agencies and programmes, donor Governmentsand other agencies and persons concerned.

Mr. Umbricht, who is expected to arrive in Dacca in early May, has hadan outstanding career in the public service of his country and also in thefields of finance and industry, as well as extensive experience in assignmentswithin the United Nations system (see biographical data below).

The Secretary-General has stated that the United Nations relief operationin Dacca is now entering a new phase. A press release on the work of the highlevel group of consultants under the chairmanship of Ambassador Erna Sailer isbeing issued separately. A general review of current and further operationswill be issued within the next few days.

(more)





Press Release IHA/119Ik April 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF SPECIAL REPORT

ON BANGLADESH BY HIGH-LEVEL GROUP OF CONSULTANTS

The Secretary-General announces that the drafting of Ambassador Sailer's ireport on the High-Level Consultants1 Mission to Bangladesh has now beencompleted. The report will be distributed to Member Governments and toagencies and programia.es of the United Nations as soon as it is available fromthe printers. The Secretary-General wishes to acknowledge the co-operationaccorded to the Mission by the Government of Bangladesh, and Ambassador Sailerwill herself deliver copies of the report to the Prime Minister, Sheikh MujiburRahman, in Dacca,

The- Mission's report will be in two parts. Volume I wil .. ontain ageneral review with certain recommendations for action that we .xd be helpfulin the relief and rehabilitation of the economy of Bangladesh. Volume II willcomprise sectoral reports. Detailed proposals and cost estimates will alsobe included, but it is pointed out that these represent only essential require-ments. The report will not "cover the requirements for further development ofthe economy, but the Mission is of the opinion that Bangladesh will have acontinuing need of foreign assistance for several years to come.

* V V V,Tfl, A A





Press Release REF/6626 April 1972

TEXT OF STATEMENT BY UNHCR AFTER VISIT TO NEW DELHI

(The following was received frcm the United Nations InformationCentre, New Delhi.)

Following is the text of a statement made on 5 April by theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sadruddin AgaKhan, at the conclusion of his two-day visit to New Delhi:

This is my third visit to the subcontinent since the inflow ofEast Bengali refugees into India last year. Following the firstrequest of the Government of India on 23 April 1971 to the UnitedNations for assistance for these refugees, the Secretary-General ofthe United Nations designated me, in my capacity as the United NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees, as the focal point for co-ordinatingassistance to Bengali refugees through the United Nations system.

The influx of refugees had already assumed massive proportionswhen I came here in June last, and was continuing even at the timeof my second visit in November. On both these occasions, I visitedthe refugees in their camps in eastern India and saw for myself thetragedy that had befallen them and the extent of the suffering ofthese uprooted men, women and children. I also saw, during thesevisits, the great zeal, dedication and humanity with which countlessgovernment officials were looking after the refugees. It was myprivilege then to pay a richly-deserved tribute to these workers,also to senior officers of the Government who were guiding the reliefoperations. I had seen these refugees in camps in India and now I sawthem in their own homes in Bangaladesh. As the UNHCR, there could befor me no greater satisfaction than to see these former refugees returnto their own homes.

The Government and people of India deserve the greatest creditfor having given asylum to millions of refugees and, their own problemsnotwithstanding, for accepting the burden of looking after them. Theburden has indeed been tremendous — $ 65 million to $U80 million on reliefand repatriation, according to .an aide-memoire which the Government ofIndia presented to me in January last. Initially, almost the entireburden was shouldered by the Government of India. The response of the

(more)



United Nations, N.Y.(FOR USE OP INFORMATION MEDIA — WOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/C/2^0IHA/117

3 April 1972

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTS $31 MILLION CHEQUE

FOR UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA AREA

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim this afternoon received a cheque formillion fez1 the United Nations relief operation in the Dacca area from

'George Bush, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations.

At the presentation ceremony held in the Secretary-General's office,Mr. Bush read out the following text of a letter he transmitted to theSecretary-General:

"I have the honor to present to you a check for $31 million for theUnited Nations Relief Program in Bangladesh. This check forms part of thetotal grant of $35 million which my Government announced recently in furtherresponse to your appeals of February 15 and February 25. The $4 millionbalance will be used, according to understandings reached between our respectivestaffs, to procure trucks from the United States for shipment to Bangladesh.

"The total U.S. Government contribution to the United Nations ReliefOperation^ Dacca since your recent appeals now. amounts to about $100 millionand includes some 500,000 tons of food, a part of which is underway. I ampleased to be able to inform you that my Government is looking into thepossibility of diverting food shipments destined for other points in an effortto speed up deliveries.

"It is my Government's sincere hope that these contributions will be ofmaterial assistance to the United Nations in carrying out their importanthumanitarian mission in Bangladesh."

Mb, Valdhem, in reply, told Vac. Bush that he could be assured that thefunds would be used "in the best possible way". The situation in the areawas very serious. The help offered by Mr. Bush's Government and people wasmost welcome.

* #*# *






3 April 1972

TEXT OF LETTER FROM IRELAND TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

ON FURTHER CONTRIBUTION TO UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION.IN DACCA

Following is the text of a letter dated 28 March to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UnitedNations, Cornelius C0 Cremin, regarding a further contribution to the UnitedNations Relief Operation in Dacca (UNROD}:

I have the honour to refer to your letter of 25th February /SO 570 PAKI/appealing for further voluntary contributions in support of the United Nationsrelief operations in Dacca.

I have now been instructed by my Government to inform Your Excellency thatthe Irish Parliament has approved a further contribution in the sura of£100,000 to'be allocated as follows:

£35;000 to United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca

£35,000 to United Nations Children's Fund

£15,000 to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugeesas focal point for refugee assistance in India

£15,000 to the Irish Red Cross for the InternationalRed Cross effort in Bangladesh

It would be appreciated if, insofar as feasible, as much of the contribu-tion to UNROD as possible could be expended in Ireland.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

*



United nations, N.Y.


Press Release SG/C/237IKA/11

29 March 1972

OF LETTSR FROM UNITED STATES TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

ON CONTRIBUTION TO RELIEF PROGRAM'.'?] IN DACCA AREA

Following is the text of letter dated 22 March to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Representative of the United States to theUnited Nations, George Bush, regarding a contribution to the United NationsRelief Operation in Dacca (UNROD):

Dear Mr. Secretary-General:

Pursuant to your appeal of February 15, 1972, the US Government has authorizeda grant of $35 million for the UN relief program in Bangladesh.

These funds may be used for the following general purposes:

— $15 million to help cover urgent transport and internal logisticalrequirements, including provision of cargo handling equipment, chartering inlandwaterway vessels, repair or reconstruction of logistical facilities and charter ofaircraft.

— $15 million to finance relief import requirements, including trucks(to be provided in kind), agricultural inputs, pumps and parts, roofing and otherconstruction materials.

— $lj- million for imported materials and local costs connected with the jrehabilitation, furnishing, and supplying of schools, hospitals and health centers.

— $1 million for UNROD administrative costs.

Staff members of the Agency for International Development will be conferringwith your staff on an urgent bs.sis to work out the mechanics of making such fundsavailable, and the procedures under whicli this grant will be implemented-

I would like, in this connexion, to call your attention to a matter which isof some concern to my Government. As you know there has been a variety of pressreports on assistance going to Bangladesh from both multilateral and bilateralsources. There have also been varying reports on the scale of actual deliveries

(more)

- 2 - Press Release SG/C/237IRA/Ilk

29 March 1972

of such aid to Bangladesh. But there has been no authoritative statement on thematter. My Government believes it would be most helpful if the United Nationscould provide periodically public statements on amounts' of assistance pledged anddelivered, both from multilateral and bilateral sources. Such statements, webelieve, would call attention to the valuable role the United Nations is playingin this important program, and incidentally help potential' donor countriessecure wide public support for this United Nations effort.

Previous Letter

In a previous letter dated 25 February 1972, Ambassador Bush -wrote to theSecretary-General as follows:

I have the honor to inform you that my Government, in response to your appealof February 15 on behalf of the United Katxons Relief Operation, Dacca, hasdecided on a number of actions which will be announced shortly. The announcementwill make clear that these actions are taken under your leadership and that theyform part of the general U.S. support for UWROD.

Specifically, my Government will make available the following:

Bulk wheat in the amount of 100,000 tons, and bagged rice in the amountof 75?000 tons; with a combined value of $23.5 million. Our services will consulton the shipping details.

An amount of $300,000 in cash &s a first contribution to the operating costsof UNROD.

A $3- 5 million contribution to the creation of emergency shelter for thedisplaced population. These amounts will be made available for programs currentlyunder way by two voluntary agencies; i.e., Catbolic Relief Services and CARE,which have been long active in tue housing field in this area. My Government isgratified that' UNIIOD intends to have the voluntary agencies participate activelyin the program...

These steps are considered by my Government as an initial contribution to theUNROD program. Others will follow. It would be most helpful to my Government ifthe Secretary General could from time to time inform member nations of allassistance, both multilateral and "bilateral, going to the area in order to' makeit possible for my Government to judge its appropriate share in such assistance.

tyr -y V V. ,VTV A 7C 7v TT

Note: The United States Government has informed the Secretary-General thatit is making another contribution to the UNROD programme as follows:

— 200,000 tons of grains valued at $21 million, and25,000 tons of vegetable oil valued at $10 million.

Moreover, the United States Government has contributed $6.77 millionto US and international voluntary agencies which are active in humanitarianwork in the area in co-operation with UTTTOD.



United Nations, N.Y,

(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — -NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release ICEF/1106IEA/113

29 March 1972 •

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN UNICEF PROGRAMME IN DACCA AREA

(The following is reproduced as received from UNICEF,)

To assist in the relief and rehabilitation of the millions of men, womenand children in the Dacca area affected by the recent conflict,Henry R, Labouisse, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fundr(UNICEF), has outlined a $20 million programme Tor the Dacca area in 1972 —the largest in UNICEF's history.

Donations from non-governmental organizations announced to UNICEF duringthe year amount to $2, 14,500. The main contributors were:

Apple Record Company of New York(sales of "Bangladesh Record Album") ,.,... $1,200,000

UNICEF National Committee of Australia,France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,and Switzerland (with the Swiss Committeeas largest contributor with $312,500) 386,TOO

Oxford Famine Relief (OXFAM), United Kingdom 375,600

Save the Children Fund, Sweden 312,000

Cnritas, Federal Republic of Germany 76,000

Council of Organizations for Service Overseas(CORSO), New Zealand 30,000

Mr, Labouisse, while expressing his deep gratitude for the donationsalready made, pointed to the urgent need for additional financial support.

Ship Arrives

In the Dacca area, the SB SPITFIRE has been unloaded in Chittagong harbourafter its arrival from the United States. It had carried the largest eversingle shipment of high-protein food mixtures — 17,283 metric- tons of CSM(corn-soya-milk mixture), WSB (wheat-soya blend), and bulgar — which was

(more)

- 2 - Press Release ICEF/1106IHA/115

29 March 1972

originally destined for shipment to India, "but diverted to the UNICEF-assistedchild feeding programme in the Dacca area. The SPITFIRE carried 645,055 bagsof CSM, 55,981 "bags of WSB, and 59,962 bags of bulgar. It is the largestcargo vessel carrying the largest single cargo to arrive in the Dacca area inthe past year.

The high-protein food was unloaded and transferred to river boats fortransshipment to river ports in the area around Dacca and Khulna for use in thechild feeding programme pipeline.

The child feeding programme is one of the main categories in UNICEF's$20 million relief and rehabilitation programme for the Dacca area. A roughbreakdown of the programme follows:

— $2 million for child feeding programmes;

— $4.5 million for health services;

— $6 million for clean water supply;

— $5 million for education; and

— $2.5 million for transport assistance.

* *## *





Press Release SG/C/236IHA/112REF/661

28 March 1972

TEKT OF LETTER TO SECRETARY-GENERAL FROM CANADA ON CONTRIBUTION

" TO RELIEF OPERATIONS IN INDIA AMD DACCA AREA

Following is the text of a letter dated 2? March to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United NationsYvon Beaulne, concerning a contribution to United Nations relief operations inIndia and the Dacca arear

I have the honour to inform you that in response to your appeal ofFebruary 23 the Government of Canada is prepared to make available an additional.,$5 million for the .relief- of refugees in India and displaced persons inBangladesh. Of this amount the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugeeswill receive a cash grant of $2 million to help ease the heavy economic "burden.on India occasioned by refugee operations. The remaining $3.million to-bemade available to the United Nations Relief Operations in Bangladesh. Of thisamount, $1 million will be spent on roofing materials and $1 million to buyurgently needed school supplies for Bangladesh. The remaining $1 million is acash contribution to provide flexibility to UNRO as the coordinating body forUNICSF, the World Food Program and the World Health Organization.

This new allocation is additional to earlier contributions to relief „cperations in India and Bangladesh by the Government and people of Canadatotalling over $22 million.

Canada extended diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh on February 14 andthis week, reflecting Canadian concern for the needs of the new nation .andits people, the President of the Canadian International Development Agency,Mr. Paul Gerin-Lajoie, is visiting Dacca at the head of a relief and developmentassistance team. On his return to Canada, Mr. Ge'rin-Lajoie is expected tomake recommendations for the disbursement of the $5«5 million remaining fromprevious allocations to the Canadian International Emergency Relief Fund forrefugees in India and relief in Bangladesh.

(more)

- 2 - Press Release SG/C/236IHA/112REP/661

' .28 March 1972

Text in French'

J'ai 1'honneur de vous faire savoir qu'en reponse a votre appel du23. £evrier le gouvernement du Canada est pr§t a affecter une sonnne addition-nelle de 5 millions de dollars aux oeuvres de secours pour les refugie's enInde et les personnes deplacees au Bangla Desh. Le Haut-Comraissaire desNations Unies pour les refugies recevra une subvention en argent de 2 millionsde dollars destinee a soulsger le lourd fardeau economique que les operations .de secours des refugie's ont impost a 1'Inde* Le solde de 3 millions de dollarssera mis a la disposition des Operations de secours des Nations Unies a Dacca(UNROD). De ces trois millions, un million servira & 1'achat de materielscolaire dont le Bangla Desh a un urgent besoin. Le dernier million seraverse en especes et donnera a 1'UKHOD la souplesse qu'exige son r6led'organisme de coordination du FISE, du Programme alimentaire mondialet de 1TOrganisation mondiale de la sant£.

Cette nouvelle contribution est offerte en plus des contributionsanterieures du gouvernement et du peuple canadiens aux operations de secours enInde et au Bangla Desh et dont • le total depasse 22 millions de dollars.

Le Canada a reconnu le Bangla Desh le lU fevrier dernier. Cette semaine,M.- Paul Gerin-Lajoie, president de I'Agence'canadienne de developpementinternational, se rend a Dacca 'a la tete d'une quipe de secours marquantainsi 1'interit que le Canada porte aux besoins du nouvel Etat et de son peuple..On s'attend qu'S, son retour, M.-Gerin-Lajoie fasse des recommandationsquant h 1'affectation d'un solde de 5 millions et demi de dollars provenant descontributions anterieures versees par le Ponds canadien de secours internationauxpour les refugies en Inde et les personnes deplacees au Bangla Desh et qui n'apas encore £t£ depense. . • ' . ' • • . .

# #**



United Nations, N,Y.

(FOR USE op INJTORMATION MEDIA — HOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG-/A/112IBA/111

23 March 1972

APPOINTS SIR BOB5RT JACKSON TO TAKE

(TVER-ALL CHAEC-?J OF UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

Secretary-General Kurt Tfaldheim has appointee Sir Robert jackson to takeover-all charge of the United Nations relief operation in Dacca.

•This operation was set up in June 1971 ai-& 1'7as endorsed by the GeneralAssembly in resolution 2790 (XXVT) which wss unanimously adopted on6 December 1971.'

In his report of 15 February 1972 to the General Assembly and the SecurityCouncil (document A/8662-S/10539) the Secretary-General gave an account of thecurrent situation and the plans for the future of the United Nations reliefoperation in Dacca, In the concluding part of this report, the Secretary-General stated that he saw in General Assembly resolution 2790 (XXVl) and SecurityCouncil resolution 307 (1971) of 21 December 1971, a clear mandate for him tocontinue the United Nations relief operation in Dacca and that it was hisintention to exert every possible effort to continue to provide emergency reliefassistance to the people of the area. He indicated that to meet but the costimmediate needs of the effected area, so as to avert the threat of large-scalemisery and hunger, additional assistance in excess of $5 5 million would berequired for the remainder of 1972, and he hoped that the internationalcommunity would provide as great a part as possible of the total requirements,both through the United Nations and through other channels.

Paul-Marc Henry was in charge of the operation from 2k August 1971 until29 February 1972= The Secretary-General takes this opportunity to express hisdeep .appreciation for the outstanding services rendered by Mr. Henry duringhis tenure,

Sir Robert Jackson, a national of Australia, was born in Melbourne,Australia, in 1911.

From 1962 to 1971 he was a Special Consultant to the Administrator ofthe United Nations Development Programme at Head.quarte.rs and during the period1968-1970 was the United Nations Commissioner in charge of the Study of theCapacity of the United Nations Development System. In 1972 he was assigned asa Senior Consultant in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

(more)

Press Release SG/A/112IHA/111

23 March 1972

Prior to 1962, Sir Robert had undertaken a variety of importantassignsents „ After serving in the Royal Australian Havy from 1929 to 1937he was transferred to the Royal Navy and in 1938 planned the defence andrearmament of Malta, In 1939 he was seconded to the British Army as ChiefStaff Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, Malta, and in this capacity heintroduced in 19- 0 the co-ordinated supply scheme for the Fortress whichdecided the formation of Malta convoys « From 19 1 to 19^ Sir Robert Aras theDirector-General of the Middls-Sast Supply Centre,, which controlled allcivilian and cerbain major military supplies in the region extending fromTunisia to India and from Turkey to South Africa (first Anglo-Americanorganization of the Second World Far) and also served as Principal Adviser tothe British ¥ar Cabinet Minister in the Middle East before his transfer tothe United Kingdom Treasury.

From 19 -5 "to 19 -7 Sir Robert w-is the senior Deputy Director-Generalof the United Nations P.elief and Rehabilitation Administration (UMRRA) andcontrolled U1IREA operations in Europe, the Soviet Union, China, South Kcrea,Ethiopia and elsewhere. In 19 8 he joined the United nations as AssistantSecretary-General in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

In 19)4-9 he returned to the British Treasury. From 1950 to 19?2 heon loan to the Australian Government and during that period he establishedthe Ministry of Kational Development and participated in the development ofthe Sno'wy Mountains Authority.

In 1952-1953 he participated in the establishment of Planning Commissionsin India and Pakistan and from 1953 to 1967 he periodically advised theGovernment of India~-on development plans. He was Commissioner in charge ofthe Volta River Project in what is now Ghana fron 1953 to 1956 and Chairmanof the Ghana Development Commission from 1957 "bo

-3BJ-* *


Press Sect?"onOffice of Public Information

United Nations, N,Y.



111- March 1972

TEXT 0?JEETi;EP, TO SECRETARY-GENERAL. FROM DENMARK ON CONTRIBUTION

2LQ. ,UNITgD NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

Following is the text of a letter dated 8 March to Secretary-GeneralKurt Waldheim from the Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations,Otto Boreh, regarding a contribution to the United. Nations Relief Operationin Dacca (UNROD) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):

I have the honour with reference to your note of February 25, 1972 —SO 570 PAKI — concerning further voluntary contributions in support of theUnited Nations relief operation in Dacca to inform you that the DanishGovernment has obtained parliamentary approval of an appropriation in theamount of 25,000,000 Danish kroner (approximately 3,510,000 dollars) for anextraordinary contribution to international relief work in connection with thereturn of -che refugees to Bangla Desh. Of this amount 111-,000,000 Danishkroner (approximately 2,000,000 dollars) have been transferred to the UNHCRfor food rations, transport and travel allowances to the refugees for theirjourney home inside Bangla Desh and 7,000,000 Danish kroner (approximately1,000,000 dollars) will be spent for relief operations in Eangla Desh partlythrough the United Nations relief operation in Dacca, while the remaining .U,000,000 Danish kroner (approximately 510.;000 dollars) will be contributedthrough the Danish voluntary relief organizations.

•* #-*#

U K I T E D N A T I O N S



(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AW OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press ReleaseIHA/1C9

2 March 1972 .

TEXT 0? LETTER TO SESRICTARY--GEWERAL FROM SWEDEN ON CONTRIBUTION

TO UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

Following is the text of a letter dated 29 February to Secretary-GeneralKurt Faldheim from the Charge d'Affaires a.i, of the Permanent'Mission ofSweden to the United Nations, Kaj Sundberg, regarding a contribution to theUnited Nations Relief Operation in Caeca (UKROD):

"I have the honour to inform you that the Swedish Government has decidedto make a contribution of Swedish kronor 22,500,000 in cash and in kind to theUnited NationsTs Relief Operation, Dacca (UN30D).

"The contribution consists of:

lr(l) an immediate cash contribution of Sw.kr. 5 million;

"'(II) 15,000 ton fertilizers (UREA) at a value of Sw.kr. 7.2 million; and

"(HI) an earlier contribution of Sw.kr. 500,000 for transport of blankets,

"The remaining part (Sw.kr. 9,800,000) will be decided on afterconsultations between the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA)and UNROD.

"Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration."

*






2 March 1972

TEXT OF LETTER TO SECRETLY-GENERAL FROM ITALY ON CONTRIBUTION

TO UNITED NATIONS RELIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

Following is the text of a letter dated 25 February to the Secretary-General from the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations regardinga contribution to the United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca (UNROD):

The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations presents hiscompliments to the Secretary-General of the Organization and has the honourto inform His Excellency that:

(a) in response to the appeal for assistance to the Bangla Deshpopulations, the Italian Government is considering the possibility to give acontribution in the frame of UNROD programme;

(b) the Italian Government has also decided to give to the United NationsHigh Commissioner f-or Refugees in Geneva a contribution of Italian liras14 million for assistance to the Bangla Desh populations.

The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations availshimself of this opportunity to renew to the Secretary-General of theOrganization the assurances of his highest consideration.



United Hations, N.Y.

(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA -- WOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

Press Release SG/SM/l6^2IHA/106

28 February 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RELIEF IN DACCA AREA

Following is the text of a communication, dated 25 February fromSecretary-General Kurt Waldheim to the Governments of all States Members ofthe United Nations and members of the specialized agencies:

I have the honour to refer to the appeal for further voluntary contribu-tions in support of the United Nations relief operation in Dacca, which-Iaddressed to Governments as well as intergovernmental and non-governmentalorganizations and private sources in my report of 15 February 1972 to theGeneral Assembly and the Security Council (A/8662-S/10539).

As indicated in that report, additional assistance in excess of$565.,000.,000 will be required for the remainder of 1972 to meet but .the mostimmediate needs of the affected area so as to avert the threat of large-scale misery and hunger, and it is hoped that the international communitywill provi'de as great a part as possible of the total requirements, boththrough the United Nations and through other channels. The report alsopoints out that substantial additional voluntary contributions, in cash andin kind, will be urgently required if the United Nations is to continue itshumanitarian activities.

I very much hope that your Government will respond generously to myappeal in support of this humanitarian mission of the United Nations.

* #** #





Press Release SG/A/111IHA/10T

28 February 1972

COMPOSITION OF CONSULTANTS' GROUP TO DACCA AREA ANNOUNCED

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheiiu today announced the appointment of themembers of the high-level group of consultants which he has decided to sendto the Dacca area. His decision to send the group was announced in his reportof 15 February to the General Assembly and the Security Council (documentA/8662-S/10539).

The group, • which will be headed by the Austrian Ambassador to India,Mrs. Erna Sailer, will consist of the following persons:

Transport

Teleccnnuni cat ions

Agriculture

Monetary/fiscal

Education

A.J. Carmichael, Chief, Ports Division, InternationalBank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

A. Lewis, Railways Consultant, IBRD

H. Kaden, Roads Specialist, IBRD

K,M. Gyi, Ports Sepcialist, IBRD

C.R. Dickinson, Deputy Chief, TelecommunicationsDivision, IBRD

B. Jbhnsson, Te3.ecojBffi«ni cations Specialist, IBRD

R. Picciollo, Chief, Special Projects Office, IBRD

S.V. Allison, Staff Member, Special Projects Office,IBRD

U Phu, Agricultural Consultant, IBRD

G. de Brichambaut, Agricultural Specialist, Foodand Agriculture Organization (FAO)/IBRD CooperativeProgramme

T. Thin, Deputy Directorj Apia Division,International Monetary Fund. (IMF)

M. Salgarde, Assistant Director, Asia Division, IMF

W. Hughes, Division Chief, IMF

¥. Miller, Deputy Chief, Planning Education, UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO.)

(more)

- 2 - Press Release SG/A/111IHA/10T

28 February 1972

Health Dr. D. Savic, Health Adviser, World HealthOrganization ("WHO)

UNIC3F T. Da vies, Special Representative (in Dacca) toExecutive Director of United Nations Children'sFund

Rapporteur . N. Eichhorn, Desk Officer, Far East Division,United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The IBRD is providing the staff for the transport, telecommunications andagricultural sections, except for G. de Bricharabaut, who is with the FAO/IBRDCooperative Programme in Rome. The IMF is making available the aonetary/fiscalexperts.

Other United Nations agencies will be furnishing the following staff:WHO - Dr. Savic, who is serving with UNICEF in Dacca; UNESCO - Mr. de Brichambaut;and UNDP - Mr. Eichhorn.

Each member has been assigned to the consultative group not as a memberof his parent agency but rather as a specialist in his particular field.

The group is scheduled to assemble in New Delhi by 3 March for organisationalbriefings with. Mrs. Sailer and proceed to Dacca on 5 March. Approximately twoweeks will be spent in-country.

The objectives of the group are to:

1. Review relief/rehabilitation requirements for the balance of 1972.

2. Recommend technical assistance activities for the period in question.

3- Evaluate the need for special studies to be undertaken to ease thetransition from relief to rehabilitation.


Pi-ess SectionOffice of Public Information.

United Nations, N.Y,


Press Release SG/C/230IHA/lO-'i

Ik February 1972

CHILE CONTRIBUTES $6,000 FOR AID TO REFUGEZSS IN INDIA

The Government of Chile has sent to Secretary-General Kurt "Waldheim a

cheque for $6,COO as a contribution for United Nations efforts to assist

refugees in India. The cheque was sent along with a letter dated 11 February

from Humberto Dias-Casanueva, Permanent Representative of Chile to the

United Nations, stating that the money "symbolises the solidarity of the

people and Government of Chile with the suffering of so many human beings vho

are the victims of disturbances which we all deplore".

•&##• *





Press Release SGIHA/105REF/657

9 February 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL'tSI SPECIAL JEFKBgENgATIVE FOR HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS

TO VISIT NEW DELHI AND DACCA

At the request of the Secretary-General, Vittorio Winspeare Guicciardi,Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Humanitarian Problemsunder Security Council resolution 3^7 (l97l)j will be making a second visitto the subcontinent in pursuance of his mission to take up a number ofhumanitarian problems with the parties concerned. Mr, Winspeare will beleaving Geneva for New Delhi on 9 February 1972. He plans to visit Daccaafter a short stay in New Delhi.

It will.be recalled that Mr. Winspeare undertook his first visit to thesubcontinent from 27 December 1971 until 12 January 1972. Following this .visit the Secretary-General submitted a report on the mission of his SpecialRepresentative to the Security Council on 17 January (document S/10512).At the conclusion of this report the Secretary-General stated, "I shall ofcourse keep under review the various humanitarian problems of concern to hismission and take further action if deemed desirable in pursuance of therelevant provisions of Security Council resolution 307 (l9Tl)*"

U N I T E D W A T I 0 K 3


United Nations, N,Y,

(FOR USE OF INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL FCCORD)

Frees Release SG/C/229/Rev,lIKA/102/Eev.l

2 February 1972

UNITED KINGDOM ANNOUNCES CONTRIBUTION

TO R3LIEF OPERATION IN DACCA

The United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations announced today acontribution of £500,000 ($1.275 million) to the United Nations ReliefOperation in Dacca • (UNROB). During the past six months, the United KingdomGovernment has naole available $ .G million to the United Nations for reliefIn the Dacca area. Of the latter amount., $1.2 million was paid to the UnitedNations on 10 August 1971, while $2.U million is being contributed in kind.

It was announced on 18 January that the United Kingdom would makeavailable a further $2.55 million for relief in the area, bringing totalofficial British contributions to $7.35 million. The United Kingdom hasalso contributed $35. million to the United Nations refugee effort in India.

According to the latest information available at United Naticnn • .Headquarters, UNROD operations In the Dacca area now include use of thefollowing:

— 21 vessels providing logistic support primarily for food distribution;

— 1|-50 trucks in operation, with 150 more on their -way to Chittagcng;

— Two STOL (Short Take-Off and Landins)-type aircraft, plus one "Skyvan"from the United Kingdom under its pledge in kind;

— An automotive /truck maintenance project in operation to service k^Q to600 trucks s operated by UKROD and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF);

— 12 ."vac-u-vators", special machines for the movement of grain, alsoon their way to the area;

— A WnCE? child-feeding project with the capacity to feed 1 million hasbeen restarted with personnel, food supplies and other relief items;

— Shipments of 1 million blankets are being expedited. Air shipmentsfrom Bangkok and Europe have been mc.de. 'Blankets which were previously sentfor refugee 3. in Calcutta are being diverted.

(mo- - )

PieGR Release SG/C/229/Rev.lIHA/102/Rev.l

2 February 1972

The follovrir-s is a tabulation of voluntary contributions by Governmentsto UNROD. (Pledges as of 2 February 1972.)

AUSTRIA

AUSTRALIA

BELGIUM

CANADA

CHILE

DENMARK

FRANCE

GERMANY (FED .REP.)

HOLY SEE

JAPAN

NETHERLANDS

HEW ZEALAND

NORWAY

SWEDEN

SWITZERLAND

UNITED KINGDOM

UNITED STATES

TOTALS

P L E D G E D

CASH

$ 35,000

200,000

858,9271 95,0503,000

273,7291*52,899

1*, 518,072

5,000

2,228,916

51*8,000

1,500,000

2, 1*8**, 500

5,000,000

18,60 ,093

KIND

$ 950,7 8

7,000,000

3,000,000

-

1,000,000

3,068,000

13,500

1*67,062

2,1*20,000

59,139,000

77,058,310— .

TOTAL

$ 35,000

1,150,743

- 858,927

7, 95,050

3,oco

273,729

52,899

7,518,072

5,000

1,000,000

5,296,916

13,5005 8,000

•1,500,000

1 67,062

l)-,9C'- OCO

6k, 139, ooo

95,659,903

* ***\

U N I T E D .N-A T I 0 N S



(FOR USE OF. INFORMATION MEDIA — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD)

CAUTION: ADVANCE TEXT ' ••••'•• • Press Release SG/C/281Not for use before 12:00 noon EST . IHA/160(1700 GMT) Friday. 5 January ; ' 5 January 1972

SECRETARY-GENERAL AGAIN APPEALS TO GOVERNMENTS FOR AID TO BANGLADESH

He Says Food Grains, Transport, Cash Are Needed to Preserve laves'

. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim today publicly appealed again toGovernments to: take all action necessary to provide the people of Bangladeshwith the food grains and transport essential to preserve their lives duringthe coming year. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organiza-tion (FAO) has associated himself completely with the Secretary-General'sappeal and given it his full support.

Both the Secretary-General and FAO Director-General Addeke H. Boermahave emphasized both the scale of the threat to life and the -rgency fortaking action without delay if a major crisis — and possibl •* A tragedy --is to be averted later this year.

As announced-previously, the Chandler Food Mission has estimated that --primarily as a result of a disastrous shortfall in the Aman harvest followingthe"failure of-the monsoon rains — 2,500,000. tons of food grains will haveto be imported into Bangladesh this year.

The Government of Bangladesh — conforming to its policy of "self help" —has already started to commit'tip to one third of its reserves offoreign currency in order to purchase approximately 800,000 tons of theseimports and also to charter part of the inland water transport, necessary tohandle them. This is the maximum amount that the Government can .safelycommit in its efforts to meet the crisis in 1975, for to spend more would beselfrdefeating as it would be at the direct expense of investment in theagricultural sector, which is imperative if food production is to be .increased in future years. ' •

If widespread malnutrition, and almost certainly starvation, are to beavoided.in 1973, 1,700,000 tons, of food grains will need to be provided byGovernments interested in assisting Bangladesh, and also a further $5 millionwill.have to be contributed in cash so that the United Nations Relief Operationin Dacca (UNROD) can continue to provide certain inland water transportservices.

(more)

U N I T E D





5 January 1972

TEXT 0? LETTER TO SECRETARY GENERAL FROM AUSTRIA ON AID TO EAST PAKISTANIS

Following is the text of a letter dated 29 December to the Secretary-

General from Wolfgang Wolte, Acting Permanent Representative of Austria to

the United. Nations, regarding humanitarian aid to East Pakistanis:

I have the honour to inform you that my Government, in response to your

appeal of June 16, 1971 and in accordance with resolution A/:Res/2793 (XXYl),

has decided to make a further contribution to the United Nations Programme

of humanitarian relief in East Pakistan in the amount of US$ 35,000. This

amount will be paid in January 1972.

Please accept, dear Mr. Secretary-General, the assurances of my highest

consideration.

•* -K-X-*

Title items-in-lndia/Pakistan/Bangladesh - Bangladesh ...€¦ · Press Release REF/638 IHA/191 29...

Documents

Transcript of Title items-in-lndia/Pakistan/Bangladesh - Bangladesh ...€¦ · Press Release REF/638 IHA/191 29...