Security Notice

Security Notice, November 20, 2006

The Awami League (AL) has announced that it will resume its nation-wide "siege" program beginning Monday, November 20, 2006. They have stated that they will block all highway, railway and river way traffic across the country and shut down the ports in Chittagong and Khulna. The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has stated that if the Awami League resumes their "siege," BNP activists will meet confront or oppose them.

Police expect widespread violent demonstrations across the country. In Dhaka, the epicenter of the violence is expected to be the downtown area at the Paltan Maidan and the Muktangan. All entry points to the city (Jatrabari, Gabtoli, and Tongi) will experience violent protests, as well as certain key locations throughout the city (Uttara, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Malibagh, Rampura, Motijheel and Mirpur).

Because of the threat of widespread civil unrest, Embassy personnel are restricted to travel in the Diplomatic Enclave on November 20, 2006.

We also recommend that American citizens monitor announcements that are published in the local press or announced in the local media.

English language news is available on the following channels at the following times:

ATN – 18:00
Banglavision – 21:05
BTV – 22:00
BTV – 23:30 (also broadcast by all local Satellite stations: ATN, Channel I, NTV, RTV, Banglavision Channel 1, Boishaki)

U.S. Embassy
Dhaka, Bangladesh