LONDON: British Prime Minister Edward Heath visited Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh Premier, at his hotel this morning [Aug 18]. … Last week, Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home also saw the Bangladesh Premier at the London clinic. This morning’s visit of Mr Heath was described as a courtesy one. However, the two leaders are believed to have had a general discussion on relations between their two countries and possible relations between Dacca and Islamabad. Bangladesh sources maintain, however, that there was no change in Mujib’s basic policy of no talks with President Bhutto without recognition of the new Republic by Islamabad. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies in Rabat,] About 1,000 servicemen at Morocco’s Kenitra jet fighter base were reported under detention today [Aug 18] … following an abortive attempt by Air Force rebels to kill King Hasan and stage a military coup. … Sources in Rabat said the arrests appeared to mean that all the Air Force men involved … were now in the hands of the authorities, including the two officers who were brought back … after being refused asylum by British authorities.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2022