TRANSCRIPT: INTERVIEWER (SEQ. 2): There have been gloomy forebodings inside and outside Pakistan regarding the possibility of a true reconciliation between the Bengalis and the people of the west wing. What is your assessment of the situation now?".



MALIK: "You see my assessment in that what happened was temporary. People now started realising that we shall have to live together and so I think that the decision and change of mind will be better from now."



INTERVIEWER: Only last week, the President said I think that armed forces were still fighting secessionist elements. Do such elements in fact control any areas of East Pakistan?".



MALIK (SEQ. 4): "What we have found after we captured a few that it was done by expert hands you see and that needs a special kind of engineer, and among the rebels of our country there is no such person, so it was absolutely those who came from India and experts who came form there."




Initials BB/1613 SG/AW/BB/1622



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Background: Dr. A.M. Malik, Governor of East Pakistan was interviewed at the Governor House in Dacca on Tuesday (14 September). Dr. Malik assessed the current situation in Pakistan. He said that the attitudes of the people in the area were changing and that they have adopted a conciliatory outlook. Dr. Malik then denied reports that secessionists held any areas of Pakistan and that acts of terrorism in the country were caused by Indian agents.

Dr. Malik, who took over as governor of East Pakistan on 31st August, today (18 September) named ten ministers who will be responsible to him in running the province. No portfolios were announced but the ministers, including one from the outlawed Awami league, which swept the elections last December, will be sworn in later today.

Dr. Malik was interviewed by Ronald Robeson of the B.B.C.