Steps will soon be taken to amend some existing oul -moded laws and rules of the country's armed forces. Prime Minister Sheikh Haslna an nounced yesterday, reports UNB

Some colonial laws and rules are still guid, .„ '..c

armed forces, which the Prime Minister observed are not suit able for an Independent, sovereign nation

"My government will soon take steps to reform those rules and laws to cope with the changed situation", she said addressing the officers and jawans of the 9th division of the army at Savar garrison

Haslna said the Armed Forces do not belong to any person or party. Armed Forces are a national resource, pride of the nation and protector of the country's sovereignty, she added

The Prime Minister said government would come and government would go. but the country, its people, constitution and hard-earned flag would ever remain.

The main function of the government. Hasina said, is to fix national goals and to reach those goals the government would prepare plans and strategies. The function of the armed forces is to discharge their institutional responsibility to attain a fixed national objective within its domain."

Pointing to many "irregularities" committed in the armed forces in the past, the Prime Minister said. "I shall keep this institution above unwarranted interference from outside and make sure that armed forces work as per chain of command through the chiefs of the three services."

She appealed to the members of the armed forces to sink differences, if any. close ranks and work unitedly for building the institution.

The Prime Minister said there was no need for review of what happened in the past. "As the head of government and minister in charge of de-

fence. I give you assurance that merit, professional competence will alone be yardstick for appointment and promo tion In the armed forces

Referring to development and expansion of the armed forces she noted with anguish '.L“t onward march of this na tional Institution had been Im peded by different persons and parties bid to use It for their personal or collective ag grandisement

It is not desirable for the armed forces to get involved in the country's internal politics. Haslna said stating that during the past 21 years the armed forces had been hurl and afflicted by a handful of selfish and ambitious persons

"As a result, our armed forces were subject often to painfully undesirable activities one after another and often to bloody incidents, adding many a tragic chapters to our national history."

The Prime Minister made it absolutely clear that her gov ernment would try to develop a disciplined and trained armed forces visualised by Fa ther of the Nation.

Dispelling the propaganda that Awami League government tried to weaken the armed forces in the past and would do so in future, she said: "It is merely a reflection of a ten dentlous conspiracy.'

She said Bangabandhu. despite adversities and war-shattered economy, took Initiative to reconstruct Bangla desh's armed forces on a priority basis.

"Bangabandhu made efforts to collect military hardwares from friendly countries, made arrangements for the training of our boys abroad and laid the foundation of the Military Academy in 1973 in an effort to rebuild the armed forces." she said.

"All this goes to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that Bangabandhu realised the im-Sierative of patriotic armed orces for safeguarding sover eignty of Bangladesh."' she

added

Over and above Haslna re-< ailed. Bangabandhub eldest son joined the regular armed lories and fought the Libera tion War and his second son also Joined the armed forces on completion of hf* military training abroad

Referring to trust and confidence reposed by Banga bandhu In the armed (ones, she said it Is on the strength of that confidence that Banga bandhu requested the then In dlan Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to take liack the Indian soldiers of the allied forces by March 17 1972

Listing other measures Prime Minister said armed forces would be supplied with required resources and train Ing She also made it clear that professional skill strength of character and conduct will be yardstick lor promotion in the armed forces

Expressing her satisfaction with the performance of armed forces who Joined the UN Peacekeeping Force, the Prime Minister said whole world praised the performance of Bangladesh armed forces and are requesting to deploy them for maintaining peace and security

The Prime Minister also joined in an open discussion with the Jawans and enquired about their condition.

Earlier. Infantry and ar tillery troops of the 9th divi sion demonstrated a training exercise. Including mock fighting.

Industries and Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed. Food and Agriculture Minister MaUa Chowdhury. Post and Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Nasim. Home Minister Major (Rtdl Rafiqul Islam and Lt Col (Rid) Faroque Khan MP were also present on the occasion.

Upon her arrival at the Savar Cantonment, the Prime Minister was received by Army Chief Lt Gen Mahabubur Rah man and GOC of 9th division Major General Imamuzzaman.