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BD students protest against Clinton's visit

DHAKA: Nearly 200 students, chanting and waving black flags, demonstrated near Bangladesh's foreign ministry office in Dhaka on Thursday to protest against the visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton on March 20.

The students, supporters of left-wing political parties, said Clinton was a "symbol of capitalism and enemy of toiling masses," and warned they would turn his visit into a black chapter in Bangladesh's history, witnesses said.

"Clinton's visit is aimed to destroy Bangladesh...and grab its oil and gas reserves," the protesters said in a written statement handed to reporters.

They said the U.S. administration was trying to obtain permission for an U.S. company to build a private container terminal and take control of the Chittagong port -- something they vowed to resist.

Government officials said the protests were provoked by small, left-wing political groups who were using the demonstrations against Clinton to raise their profile. The government and business community are upbeat about the visit, which they said would lead to improved diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

Dock workers launched a 24-hour strike at Chittagong port on Thursday in a bid to prevent the government from allowing Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) to build a $500 million terminal.

Bangladesh's main opposition parties say they will temporarily suspend their incessant anti-government strikes during Clinton's stay.-Reuters