The most densely populated of the world's big countries, Bangladesh is also among the most sparsely covered by the international press. This is in part the government's choice: it makes it hard for foreign journalists to visit. When they do, it tends not to like what they write, especially recent suggestions that Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in Islamic extremism, and becoming a haven for international terrorists. The government is right that claims of "Talibanisation" are exaggerated. Bangladesh remains a relatively liberal and tolerant place. But it is becoming less so, and that is a concern. Rich-country diplomats say that whereas, three years ago, their main focus was on economic development, it is now on defending democracy. Later this year, a number of such countries, who meet informally in Dhaka as "the Tuesday group", are planning to hold a conference on the conduct of free and fair elections.
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