CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF BANGLADESH AND OTHERS



Quote:
Dear Mrs. Ouderland,
22 May 2001

     I was deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of your illustrious
husband Mr. W.A.S. Ouderland, Bir Pratik.  Please accept, on my own behalf
and on behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh, our deepest
condolences.

     Your late husband has been a legend in our country by having the rare
distinction of valiantly fighting shoulder to shoulder with our
freedom-fighters during Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971 and being
the only foreign national to have been honoured with the gallantry award
'Bir Pratik'.  By this he has created for himself a niche in the hearts of
the Bengali nation.

     May God give you and the rest of your family members the strength and
the courage to bear this irreparable loss.  We pray for the salvation of the
departed soul.


(Sheikh Hasina)


Mrs.Ouderalnd
5 Peet Crescent
Trigg
Perth, WA-6029
Australia

Unquote:


Quote:
Dear Mrs. Ouderland
22 May 2001

     I have been deeply saddened to hear from our High Commission in 
Canberra
of the passing away of your husband Mr. W. A.S. Ouderalnd, Bir Pratik.
Please accept on my behalf and on behalf of all officers and staff of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our heartfelt sympathies and deepest
condolences.

     Mr. Ouderland has been a man of valour who actively participated in our
War of Liberaiton in 1971.  He has indeed touched the hearts of the entire
nation and would no doubt be remembered for all times to come.

     May the Almighty bestow on you the strength to bear this great loss and
may his soul rest in eternal peace.


Yours sincerely,


(Abdus Samad Azad)
Mrs.Ouderalnd
5 Peet Crescent
Trigg
Perth, WA-6029
Australia

Unquote:


Quote:
Condolence Meeting

     A condolence meeting was held today (22 May, 2001) at the Bangladesh
High Commission presided over by H.E. Mr. Mirza Shamsuzzaman, High
Commissioner of Bangladesh in Australia attended by officers and members of
staff to condole the sad demise of Mr. W. Ouderland Bir pratik.

     While paying glowing tributes to the contribution of Mr. Ouderland in
the Liberation War of Bangladesh the High Commissioner on behalf of the
Government and the people of Bangladesh as well as on his own behalf, the
officials of the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra and the expatriate
Bangladeshi community in Australia expressed profound sorrow on the death of
Mr. Ouderland.

     A prayer was also offered for eternal peace of the departed soul and
wished that the bereaved family would be able to bear this irreparable loss
with courage and fortitude.

Unquote

Canberra Australia, 23rd May, 2001