ISLAMABAD: The British paper, `Guardian`, commenting on Pakistan`s recognition of Bangladesh, has said that Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has gained everything and lost virtually nothing by this action. The paper recalled that Mr Bhutto took over [a] ... split and defeated country, dominated by troops of her larger neighbour and thrust into economic chaos by the loss of half her resources. His foreign policy since then has been nothing short of brilliant. ...[T]he `Guardian` pointed out that the ... Prime Minister obtained a highly advantageous peace settlement from New Delhi. ...

The `New York Times` says: Pakistan`s recognition of Bangladesh paves the way for a long overdue reconciliation between the two sub-continental States, which ... continue to have strong mutual interests. ... Other international news media have described the presence of Bangladesh in the Islamic Summit conference ... as the achievement of the Summit. The BBC ... remarked that the presence of Bangladesh ... is a practical sign of Islamic solidarity. News agencies