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U.S. Congress urges Bangladesh to lift emergency before general elections |
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19:45, September 25, 2008 |
The United States Congress has urged the caretaker government of Bangladesh to lift the state of emergency before the country's ninth parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 18 this year, private news agency UNB reported Thursday.
The Congress in a resolution unanimously passed on Wednesday urged U.S. President George Bush to make democratic transition in Bangladesh a "high priority of United States foreign policy."
The state of emergency was imposed by Bangladesh President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed on Jan. 11, 2007 to quell political violence over an abortive general election set for Jan. 22 last year.
The caretaker government said emergency rules would be relaxed as much as possible before the elections, while major political parties demanded complete lifting of the emergency.
The U.S. Congress affirmed willingness of the United States to provide assistance to Bangladesh in its quest for a peaceful transition to democracy.
It also urged the U.S. President to consider extending generous economic support to Bangladesh on completion of an internationally accepted free and fair election.
Source: Xinhua
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