The Awami League finally decided to take part in the local elections due on August 4 after negotiations with the government. This was after Shiekh Hasina was allowed to go to the US for treatment even though the emergency was not yet lifted1. Reports noted that the AL’s decision has put pressure on the BNP to also participate in the elections so as not to loose ground to the AL2.

In other developments, the new United Kingdom envoy to Bangladesh, Stephen Evans arrived in Dhaka on June 233.

• 1. “AL to take part in Aug 4 polls,” The Daily Star, June 28, 2008, at http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=43193
• 2. “BNP grassroots press top leadership for joining elections,” The Daily Star, June 29, 2008, at http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=43324
• 3. “New UK envoy Stephen Evans arrives today,” The Daily Star, June 23, 2008, at http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=42489