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Bangladeshi

press welcomes

Clinton

DHAKA: The mainstream Bangladeshi press on Monday welcomed US President Bill Clinton on his maiden visit to this poor South Asian country with banner headlines and flattering file photos.

It is the first time a US head of state has visited Bangladesh since the country won its independence in 1971.

"Warm welcome to President Clinton," bannered the Daily Star newspaper, while the Bengali language Bhorer Kagoj daily simply said "Clinton's long-awaited trip."

The Inqilab, known for its anti-US stand, offered a surprise for its readers with a red banner headline saying "Khosh Amded Bill Clinton," on "Warm Welcome to Bill Clinton." It also carried a picture of Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea.

The Daily Star in an editorial said: "We have two things in common with the people of the United States of America, the spirit of freedom and love for democracy."

Hoping the visit would bring stability to South Asia, the daily added: "If Bangladesh reaches a niche of stability it can wield a sobering influence on the practice of democracy and constructive regionalism in South Asia."

"Clinton comes calling," said the Independent newspaper said.

"No dramatic outcome should be expected from the visit. It may not produce any demonstrable landmark in terms of short-term dividends."

But, it added "as the first step is being taken, its impact has to be sustained for long-term benefits in the changed world."

Bangladesh, a Muslim country of 120 million people, is hoping Clinton's trip will lift its international status and promote badly needed foreign investment and trade.

On the other hand, Bangladeshi villagers on Monday expressed great disappointment that US President Bill Clinton would not visit their community as planned Monday despite weeks of painstaking preparations.

The daily village of Joypura, 45 kilometres west of Dhaka, was a hive of last-minute preparations on Sunday, with a special platform erected for the president and various local handicrafts and textiles being put on display.

But in the middle of the night news came that they need not have bothered Ñ the highlight of the president's trip to Bangladesh had been scratched for security reasons.

First everyone in the village thought it was a joke and a rumour but then the local police chief, Golam Mustafa, confirmed it, a journalist who was waiting in the village overnight told AFP.ÑAFP