|
Bangladesh President Resigns, Opposition to End Parliament Boycott
 |
| Former
Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina
|
By
IOL
South Asia
Correspondent
NEW DELHI
, June 21 (IslamOnline) -
Bangladesh
President Badruddoja Chowdhury resigned Thursday, June 20, after Prime
Minster Khalida Zia's ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party adopted a
resolution asking him to step down as head of state.
The
outgoing president was a former foreign minister of his country. The
current move came as a result of the ruling BNP's demands for the
president's immediate exit "for failing to pay respects to the
party's founders".
Meanwhile,
Bangladesh
's main opposition, Awami League, led by former prime minister, Shaikh
Hasina Wajed, said Thursday it will end its boycott of parliament and
attend the current session to try to block the government from passing
new taxes that it says will hurt the poor and help the rich.
"We
have decided to go to parliament to try to prevent the government from
passing the new taxes targeting the poor," the former prime
minister and opposition leader said in Bangladeshi capital
Dhaka
.
 |
| Prime
Minister Khaleda Zia
|
Awami
League stands little chance to influence parliament proceedings. It
has only 58 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or parliament. The
Awami League has boycotted parliament since losing the October 1
elections, which it claims were rigged.
On
Sunday, June 16, Awami League called for a nationwide general strike
to protest the new taxes. The current boycott is not unusual for the
stormy politics of
Bangladesh
where opposition parties usually disrupt life.
During
most of Shaikh Hasina's five-year term in office, BNP boycotted
parliament, accusing the Awami League government of corruption and
mismanagement. The country has been plagued by assassinations, coups
and military rule during the 31 years since it became independent from
Pakistan
in 1971.
Meanwhile,
Bangladesh
suffered Thursday a moderate earthquake which shook buildings in
northern
Bangladesh
, but caused no damage or injuries, according to the Meteorological
Department in
Dhaka
.
 |
| Opposition
rally in
Dhaka
|
The
latest earthquake occurred just as the country suffers from floods due
to early monsoon rains which have flooded northern Bangladesh,
marooning tens of thousands of people in their homes, drowning two
children and damaging crops, roads and bridges. About 300,000 people
are marooned in various parts of the country where they have lost
crops and have been cut off from the world.
In
an interesting development,
Bangladesh
said Thursday it had presented
India
a list of 20 so-called "terrorists" it wanted handed over
for trial. Foreign Minister Morshed Khan refused to give more details
on who the suspects were, but said he had raised the issue earlier
this week in
New Delhi
with his counterpart Jaswant Singh.
At
present,
India
has presented a "list of 20" to
Pakistan
, while
Islamabad
has prepared a "list of 30" which it intends to present to
India
in the first meeting between the two countries.
|
|
-
Pakistan & India.. Military Balance 
-
Jenin: World
testimonies
-
Israeli Operation Defensive
Shield
-
Palestine: Maps and Facts
-
Iran Killer Quake
Lefts 550 dead, 2,000 Injured, 12,000 Homeless
-
Egypt Seeks To Build
Nuclear Bombs With Chinese Help: German Paper
-
Iranian Radio: Over 500 Killed, 1,000 Injured In Quake
-
Israel Selling Land In
Golan Heights: Israeli TV
-
Saudis Held In Morocco
Deny Planning NATO Attacks: Attorney
-
Syria Saved U.S.
Lives: Al-Shara
-
U.S. Questions Need
for UN Committee Making Mideast Trip
-
U.S. Tobacco Giant Pays Through The Nose
-
U.S.: Proposed Arab Media Campaign Will Only Prolong Mideast Crisis
-
Ridge Grilled by U.S. Legislators
-
EU Leaders To Call For Palestinian State Based On 1967 Borders
-
US Warns Of Fuel Tankers Amidst July 4 Attack Rumors
-
Pakistan Terms Indian Gestures "Totally Cosmetic", Calls For Talks
-
Israel ‘Accidentally’ Kills Four, Bush Condemns Palestinian Violence
-
U.S. Warns Israel Against Arms Sale to China: Haaretz
-
Israel Kills 10 Palestinians, Including 4 Children, Reoccupies West Bank
-
If Treated As An "Equal", Tehran Will Cooperate With U.S.
-
Bangladesh President
Resigns, Opposition to End Parliament Boycott
-
Israeli Tank-fire Kills Palestinian Boy, Wounds Eight in Gaza
-
Swiss Muslims File
Suit Over “Racist” Fallaci Book
-
Strong Momentum Against PAS Criminal law in Malaysia
-
Congress Demand Investigation of Security Leaks
-
Israeli Border Guards Kill Three Palestinians Near Gaza
World Cup:
Turks Celebrate Victory, Africa Hails Senegal's
Vanquished Heroes
South Korea Rejoices As Spain Cries Foul
German Beats U.S. in World Cup Play
Brazil into Semis After Beating England
Senegal Cut the Magic, Let Their Feet Do the Talking
South Koreans in Glory Path, Co-Host Japan World Cup Glory Ends
Africans
Roar With Pride As Senegal Lions Head Into Quarter-Finals
World Cup Bonus for South Korean Stars, Urged to Reach Last Eight
Asia Has Another World Cup Going On in Thailand
Poles Intent on Giving Koreans Parting Gift Before Leaving World Cup
Afghans
Follow World Cup Through Dishes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
