MARCH 3, 1972

Shamsuddoza Sajen

MUJIB-PODGORNY TALKS

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman meets the Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny at Kremlin today. The two leaders discuss strengthening and developing friendship and cooperation between their two countries as well as certain international problems.

An economic assistance agreement involving a multi-million-ruble grant of essential commodities and equipment to Bangladesh by the Soviet Union is signed by the two governments.

Bangabandhu, in a television interview with Moscow Television, says that Bangladesh needs help from friendly countries like the Soviet Union but such assistance must be without any strings attached. He thanks the wonderful people of Russia for the warm and splendid hospitality they extended to him and members of his delegation as well as the support they gave to the liberation struggle of Bangladesh.