TNAG-2053-FCO40-2926-Hong-Kong-parliamentary-matters-1990 — Page 6

ANNEX C

BACKGROUND

1. A state of emergency was declared in Bangladesh with

effect from 21.00 hours on 27 November. An indefinite

curfew was imposed in Dhaka and other main centres the same

evening. These developments were triggered by a series of violent anti-governmnet demonstrations in which university

students have been to the fore. The leader of one of the

main opposition parties Sheikh Hasina of the Awami

League has been placed under house arrest and other

prominent opposition figures have gone to ground. On 28 November international telecommunications links were cut by

the Bangladeshi authorities. These have now been restored.

2. Latest reports indicate that although demonstrations

have continued, the authorities are working to ease the

curfew. There are unconfirmed reports of 20 people dead.

The disturbances appear to be confined to the capital and other principal towns. Elsewhere in the country the

situation appears to be more peaceful. There are no reports

of any British citizens in difficulties.

3.

There is a CPA visit currently in progress (23-30

November) by six members of the UK Branch: Mr Norman

Miscampbell, Mrs Edwina Currie, Mr Max Madden, Mr Chris

Butler, Mr Harry Cohen and Baroness Strange. They are safe and well. Their programme has continued. The delegation and the High Commissioner called on President Ershad today

when they raised concerns about the situation. Ershad

referred to politically active students as the main instigators of trouble, and believed there would be an early return to normality. The CPA delegates said the situation inevitably had implications for levels of foreign aid for

donors who looked for criteria of good government in

recipients.

4.

Bangladesh currently receives the third largest slice of

British bilateral aid. This amounted to some £53 million in

1989/90.

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