Alliance Calls Off Strike in Bangladesh
By PARVEEN AHMED
Associated Press Writer
An opposition alliance said Wednesday it would suspend a strike that paralyzed Bangladesh for four days but promised to return to the streets if their demand for election reforms goes unmet.
Fourteen parties began the strike Sunday, calling out tens of thousands of demonstrators to block roads, rail lines and sea ports to force the removal of four election officials who they accuse of favoring former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's coalition. The officials deny the allegations and refused to resign.
During the blockade, clashes broke out between rival factions and two people were killed and dozens injured. Most stores and schools closed and supplies to the capital were disrupted, causing food prices to increase by as much as 30 percent.
The 14-party opposition alliance, led by the Awami League, said the caretaker government has failed to take steps to ensure the January elections will be free and fair. Zia's coalition has candidates on the January ballot.
Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina said the protests would be halted beginning Thursday, but would resume Monday unless the government removed the four election officials.
Business leaders welcomed the suspension of the strike, which they said was inching the impoverished country's economy toward collapse.
"We definitely appreciate the decision. It's good for the country and the economy," said Mir Nasir Hossain, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Under the Bangladeshi constitution, the prime minister must step down three months before new elections and hand power to a nonpartisan interim government - a process intended to guarantee that elections are fair and without undue political influence.
Bangladesh has a history of political violence. The South Asian nation has witnessed two presidents slain in military coups and 19 other failed coup attempts since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971.
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AP correspondents Farid Hossain and Julhas Alam contributed to this report.
Bangladeshi riot police officers baton charge an opposition 14-party political alliance supporter during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, Nov. 13, 2006. One demonstrator was killed when a police van ran him over in Dhaka Monday, a news report said, as riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up thousands of stone-throwing protesters who demanded electoral reform. (AP Photo/Pavel Rahman)