a caretaker government in Bangladesh

In a statement yesterday, the EU urged the competent political forces of Bangladesh to take up their joint responsibility for a peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution to the present crisis over establishment of a caretaker government.

"We are confident that the competent political authorities and forces of Bangladesh will join to bring about such a peaceful and constructive solution to the issue," the statement said.

The European Union, as such, sees this measure as a "decisive prerequisite for free and fair elections opening up the perspective of stabilising and strengthening democracy and human rights in Bangladesh".

The EU statement came as the political parties failed to agree on an acceptable setup of the interim caretaker government, resulting in violent clashes across the country.

The United Kingdom deplored the tragic events of the last few days in Bangladesh's political arena and called for calm and an end to the violence.

"We regret the tragic events of the last few days and call for calm and end to the violence," Acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Stephen Bridges said in a statement yesterday.

"We encourage all parties to reach agreement on the formation of the interim administration, which is consistent with the constitution of Bangladesh," the envoy said.

Our Correspondent from New Delhi writes: India yesterday said it wanted to see stability in Bangladesh and hoped the people of that country would be "allowed" to exercise their franchise in a "free and fair manner".

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said it is "closely watching developments in Bangladesh".

"As a friendly neighbour we are naturally interested in Bangladesh remaining peaceful and stable," he said.

Sarna said India hopes that the "people of Bangladesh will be allowed to exercise their right to choose their own government in a free and fair manner in the forthcoming elections in accordance with their constitution".

The comments came a day after Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon discussed the Bangladesh developments with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya in Kolkata on his way back from Bhutan.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had also held discussions with officials of his ministry about the situation in the neighbouring country.