The General Secretary of the United Nations, Kurt Waldheim, visited Bangladesh on 9 January 1973. The United Nations provided support for rebuilding facilities like the Chalna Port (renamed to Mongla Port) after it was damaged in the Bangladesh Liberation war. The UN helped repatriate Bengalis who were detained in Pakistan to Bangladesh in 1973. Bangladesh failed to become a member of the United Nations in 1972 and 1973 because China used its veto on behalf of Pakistan to prevent full membership being granted to Bangladesh. On 17 September 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh, gave a speech in the Bengali language at the General Assembly on 25 September 1974.