US Congress urges B'desh govt to lift emergency before elections

Dhaka, Sep 25 (UNI) The US Congress has urged the military-backed caretaker government of Bangladesh to lift the state of emergency before the general elections slated for December 18.

The Congress in a resolution unanimously passed yesterday urged US President George W Bush to make democratic transition in Bangladesh a ''high priority of United States foreign policy.'' The 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 US President to consider extending generous economic support to Bangladesh on completion of an internationally accepted free and fair election.

The resolution recognised the caretaker government's initiatives to eradicate corruption from all levels of government and society through institutional and policy reforms.

The House also urged all political parties in Bangladesh to participate in the elections so that democratic government in the country could continue the fight against corruption and intensify efforts for institutional and policy reforms.

UNI XC ARB RN1632