DHAKA, Dec. 15, Reuter: Bangladesh marks its Independence Anniversary with military display and political rallies to illustrate the military rule and democracy that have marked its 15: year history.
Chinese built air force jets and tanks, the mainstay of the country’s military hardware, are expected to take part in a presentation attended by politicians, diplomats and senior military officials.
President Hussain Mohammad Ershad is expected to issue a message tonight recalling achievement during his four and half years of military rule.
The government announced that it would free 203 prisoners’ mostly dissident political workers, to make the day “A Day of Rejoicing”.
Main opposition parties, announcing plans for political rallies, said they would take a fresh vow to oust what they called the “illegal government of President Ershad”,
Born out of a bloody nine-month war against Pakistan, Bangladesh has walked a slippery road between democracy and military rule.
The country’s first President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ran Bangladesh under a West minster style democracy for the initial three and half years.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 19, 1986
