Dr Kamal contradicts PM\\\'s remarks on his role after Bangabandhu\\\'s killing

Gonoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain contradicted the statements made by Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina about his role following the events of August 15, 1975, reports UNB.
The rejoinder was issued by Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates following a UNB report published in a number of dailies on May 18 on the PM's statement over the inactive role of the then foreign minister, Dr Kamal Hossain, in helping Bangabandhu's two daughters after his assassination in 1975.
The rejoinder claimed that in August 1975 Dr Kamal Hossain as foreign minister of Bangladesh under Bangabandhu, was on an official visit to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where he was informed on August 15 of the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the members of his family.
At that time, the government of Yugoslavia discussed with him the question of asylum for Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, the sole survivors of Bangabundhu's family, according to the rejoinder.
"Instead of returning to Dhaka, Dr Kamal then flew directly to Bonn precisely in order to meet Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana who were at that time visiting the city and had been given shelter by Ambassador Humayun Rashid Chowdhury, on his learning of the assassination and murders that had occurred in Dhaka," it said.
"During the period from 1975 to 1981, Dr Kamal refused repeatedly to join the new government that had seized power in Dhaka. He stayed back in the UK for the next six years during which time he attended numerous public meetings in the UK to protest Bangabandhu's assassination including arranging a meeting in the House of Commons which was attended by Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana," it added.
"It was at this meeting that a three-member enquiry committee was formed with Tom Williams (MP) who had defended Sheikh Mujib in the Agartala case and Shawn McBride (MP) and one others. He also addressed a widely participated meeting in London in November 1975."
"Between 1975 and 1981, Dr Kamal was in regular touch with Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana and knew their families well," it said.
It also added that subsequently after Dr Kamal's return to Dhaka in 1981, Dr Kamal visited New Delhi along with other Awami League leaders to encourage Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh and was at the Airport to welcome her and on stage with her at her homecoming ceremony.
There should be no room for controversy over the matter, the rejoinder said quoting a paragraph from a published volume of Dr Kamal, entitled 'Bangladesh Quest for Freedom and Justice', regarding his role after the assassination of Bangabundhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.