BNP talks political situation with foreign diplomats

BNP, the main opposition in parliament, yesterday briefed foreign diplomats and donor agency representatives about the country's latest political situation, and its preparation for holding its national council in December this year.

The party is planning to invite foreign guests including prominent global personalities as observers to its national council that will be held in the capital, according to party leaders.

At a tea party arranged by BNP last evening, the foreign diplomats wanted to know about the reasons for delaying to hold the party council, and for its boycott of the parliament, and also inquired about the party's observation of the country's latest political situation.

A diplomat asked a BNP leader why the national party council is being held after a 16-year gap, and about how the party is run, said a meeting source.

About boycotting the parliament, BNP representatives told the foreign guests that no important issue is being discussed in the parliament, the sources said.

Shafik Rehman, convener of international affairs sub-committee formed to organise the national council of BNP, gave the welcome speech to the foreign diplomats in a restaurant of the capital.

Ambassadors and representatives of about 25 countries and donor agencies attended the tea party.

Representatives of the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, European Union, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Morocco, China, and Spain were present among others.

The meeting sources said BNP invited all foreign diplomats to its upcoming national council.

It also sought cooperation from the diplomats to implement its plan to invite international delegates to its council as guests, said the sources.

The BNP delegation also alleged that the Awami League-led government is torturing and carrying out other repressive activities against leaders, workers and supporters of the opposition, the sources added.

Former state ministers Reaz Rahman, Ehsanul Haque Milon and Lutfor Rahman Azad, Prof Dr Muniruzzaman Mian, former secretaries Shamser Mobin Chowdhury and Sabiuddin Ahmed, were among the BNP delegates.