Bangladesh calls off NAM summit

October 16, 2001
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Bangladesh citing austerity reasons Tuesday formally announced it has called off a scheduled summit of non-aligned nations that was to be held next April in Dhaka, agencies reported out of the Bangladeshi capital Tuesday. Finance Minister M. Saifur Rahman broke the news.

Newly installed government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia made the move Monday at a cabinet meeting after installation following the overwhelming victory of her Awami League Party and coalition partners in general elections this month.

Government will save an estimated $ 20 million by the move. Many nations hold such conferences for national prestige; the Zia government thought otherwise.

Nepal is a founder member of the movement tailored in the 1960’s at the beginning of the cold war. Official Nepali reaction to the summit cancellation was not immediately available. It was not known if another non-aligned nation has agreed to host the conference.