Three News to consider Bangladesh at crossroads again
BBC: Bangladesh ex-PM vows to go home [Please see online BBC interviewing Sheikh Hasina-- http://www.bbc. | ||
She told the BBC that "nothing would stop" her from returning to Bangladesh to participate in elections and defend herself against murder charges. The Home Ministry said earlier that her "provocative and inflammatory speeches" might create civil unrest. Officials have been told to stop her entering the country. Exile deal "My duty is to the people of my country and I owe it to them to fight the election and defend myself against fabricated criminal charges," Sheikh Hasina told the BBC Bengali service. She said that she would be arriving in London on Thursday with a view to travelling to Dhaka on 23 April. The government says that Sheikh Hasina, who is on holiday in the US, was responsible for recent street protests that led to a state of emergency. Another former PM, Khaleda Zia, has reportedly agreed an exile deal. In a statement, the Home Ministry blamed Sheikh Hasina for issuing "inflammatory statements" against the military-backed caretaker administration and law enforcement forces. The ministry said her return might create "further confusion and hatred" among the public. "In the recent past, the civil discipline, security and economy were at stake due to irresponsible and non-stop political agitation and activities led by her party, the Awami League, and other political parties," the statement said. "And due to this, a state of emergency has to be declared." The statement said there was "apprehension" that she might jeopardise law and order, and create political instability, endangering public safety and economic life. "For public safety, the government has issued a special security alert about Sheikh Hasina's return to the country. This arrangement is temporary." The authorities have placed the police, immigration, air, land and port authorities on alert following their decision. Sheikh Hasina has been accused of murder and extortion by the military-backed caretaker government. 'Clear conscience' She has insisted that it has always been her intention to return home to defend herself against what she described earlier this week as "false and fake cases". Sheikh Hasina said on Tuesday that she did not fear detention or physical harm. "They can do whatever they like, but I know my conscience is clear, I haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't committed any crimes," she said. "They filed cases and more cases maybe just to punish me." It was also reported on Tuesday that another former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, had agreed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia with her family. "She will be leaving the country for Saudi Arabia in a couple of days. Initially she will be leaving with a one-month visa to perform Umrah [a minor pilgrimage to Mecca] and her permanent residence there will be finalised upon reaching the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Daily Star reported, citing a senior government source. "Everything has been finalised... now only the formalities, including getting a visa, remain to be completed," it said. | ||
News-2:
The Daily Star: GOVT BLACKS OUT HASINA'S COMMENTS
"... SMS received from an army major..."
http://www.thedaily
The government through its Press Information Department and other
agencies has instructed all newspapers not to carry any comment of
Sheikh Hasina. An SMS received from an army major said: "You are
requested not to telecast/print any views/comments of Sheikh Hasina
from today till further order." It may be mentioned that Hasina's
comment on the government's ban on her return was aired by BBC Bangla
Service which has been heard by the radio's audiences in Bangladesh.
News-3:
The Daily Star: PRESS NOTE
From Press Information Dept, People's Republic(?) of Bangladesh
http://www.thedaily
Some reliable sources have informed the government that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, now on a personal visit to the United States, might return to the country on April 23, 2007. It should be mentioned here that in the recent past, the law and order had been disrupted while national security and the economic climate had been jeopardized in a period of anarchy brought on by non-stop and irresponsible agitation and disorderly acts of Awami League and other political parties under her leadership. Inevitably, it all led to declaration of the state of emergency.
Besides, she has made provocative and malicious statements against the present caretaker government and law enforcement agencies at different meetings and in national and international media while staying overseas.
Under the circumstances, if Sheikh Hasina returns, she might seek to make provocative remarks like she did before, and create further hatred and confusion among the people. This might deteriorate the country's law and order, disturb the prevailing stability and threaten public safety and economy. Also to be noted, Sheikh Hasina herself is concerned about her security and has pleaded with the government through her party for special security arrangements. For the above-mentioned reasons, the government has decided to take some cautionary steps regarding her return. However, those measures are temporary.
Immigration at air and land ports, different airlines and the other authorities concerned have been informed to that end. The foreign, civil aviation and tourism ministries, civil aviation authority and the inspector general of police too have been requested to take necessary step.
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