Monday • November 20, 2006

N A T I O N A L  N E W S

Sheikh Hasina calls on Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina leading a 12-member delegation of the 14-party combine on Sunday afternoon made a courtesy call on President and Chief of the Caretaker Government Prof. Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban.

During the meeting they discussed the prevailing political situation in the country.

Other members of the delegation are Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Presidium Members Abdur Razzak, Tofael Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Suranjit Sengupta and Begum Matia Chowdhury, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua, JSD (Inu) leaders Moyenuddin Ahmed Badal and Sharif Nurul Ambia.

Armed Forces Day programmes extempted from purview of siege tomorrow; 23 city points selected for holding rallies, demo and processions

14-party blockade begins today

The Awami League-led 14-party combine yesterday announced revival of non-stop countrywide rail-road-waterway-port blockade programme from this morning for realisation of its 11-point demand that includes recasting the Election Commission (EC) and removal of CEC.

However, the coalition of 14 political parties has decided to exclude the Armed Forces Day programmes from the purview of blockade tomorrow.

Announcing the reason behind revival of the blockade programme at a crowded press briefing in the city last night, Awami League general secretary and the co-ordinator of the 14-party combine Abdul Jalil said that the President-cum-Chief Adviser to the caretaker government did not accept their 11-point demand including restructuring of the Election Commission (EC) and immediate removal of the partisan Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz after expiry of the four-day deadline yesterday set by Awami League President Sheikh Hasina earlier.

MA Jalil briefed the newsmen after a delegation of the 14-partry combine led by Awami League President Sheikh Hasina called on the President at Bangabhaban following a meeting of the 14-party combine held at Awami League's Dhanmondi office with Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

While briefing newsmen, Abdul Jalil said, "We told Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed that the people don't believe that the government is being run by a neutral personality as the Chief Adviser to the caretaker government is yet to prove his neutrality…. We have given you enough time to do so as there is time to prove that you are a non-partisan personality at the helm of state affairs."

He quoted Sheikh Hasina as telling the President that he (President) should implement the 11-point demand of the people and restructure the EC with removal of the CEC immediately creating an atmosphere conducive to holding free, fair and credible polls in which the voters could exercise their right to franchise without fear or favour as enshrined in the Constitution.

Referring to the news appeared in a section of the press yesterday that the caretaker government has taken initiative to appoint two Election Commissioners with the existing Commissioners in the EC to resolve the persisting political impasse, Abdul Jalil said categorically that no proposal would be acceptable to them without the removal of the partisan CEC, three of his deputies (Commissioners) and the EC secretary as well as 300 other upazila officials who were appointed purely on political considerations.

He alleged that the President-cum-Chief Adviser was running the state affairs as per his whims ignoring the advices and proposals of his Council of Advisers.

"Such a move of the Chief Adviser would be disastrous for him and if he continues in such a style, there would not be any alternative left to us but to launch a single-point movement for ouster of Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed," the Awami League leader said calling upon the people from all strata in general and the leaders and workers of the 14-party combine in particular to make the blockade programme an all out success.

About the BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's demand to the President-cum-chief adviser to announce the polls schedule immediately, Abdul Jalil said if the Chief Adviser complies with the dictates of Khaleda Zia prior to accepting their 11-point demand for electoral reform it would be the farewell schedule of the caretaker government led by Prof Iajuddin Ahmed.

"If President Iajuddin Ahmed continues to follow the dictates of the BNP-Jamaat alliance ignoring the people's 11-point demand then we would launch a single-point movement for his ouster as Chief Adviser," the Awami League general secretary said.

Turning to filing of the false defamation suits against his party chief Sheikh Hasina, himself and joint secretary Obaidul Quader by BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman, Abdul Jalil said it would be a boomerang for Tarique Zia as the cat would come out of the sack and his involvement in unbridled corruption would be exposed to the entire nation.

Most of the central leaders of the 14-party combine were present at the press briefing while hundreds of leaders and activists of the allies in the combine were awaiting eagerly outside the office of the Awami League chief to hear the announcement of their leaders on the action programme.

23 city points selected for holding rallies, demo and processions

Speaking at a rally of the 14-party combine, its Dhaka City unit co-ordinator and Dhaka City Awami League general secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya (Bir Bikram) announced 23 points in the metropolis where the pro-siege pickets would stage demonstrations, rallies and bring out processions from 7 in the morning today.

The points are: Gabtali Bus Stand, Mipur Number-10 square, Pallabi bus stand, Russell Square-Asad Gate, Uttara Azampur, Kuril rail crossing, Mohakhali, Moghbazar, Jurain rail gate, Jatrabari intersection, Dayaganj bus stand, Sadarghat River Terminal, Nawabpur-Bahadur Shah Park, Syed Nazrul Islam Sarani-Babubazar, Motijheel Shapla Square, Shahjahanpur rail crossing, Noor Hossain Square, Shahbagh intersection, Kamalapur railway station, Lalbagh Kellar Mor, Panthapath-Sonargaon Road, Tejgaon Nabisco intersection and Chawk Bazar.

Public rally at Bangabandhu Avenue

No alternative to meeting 11-point demand: 14-party leaders

Central leaders of the Awami League-led 14-party combine said yesterday that the nation would not accept any alternative proposal other than restructuring of the Election Commission (EC) and immediate removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz paving the way for holding free, fair and credible polls in the country.

"Observe all-out non-stop rail-road-waterway-port blockade programme throughout the country from this morning as the caretaker government of President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed failed to accept your 11-point demand within the deadline that expired on Sunday," said the leaders of the combine of 14 opposition political parties while speaking at a largely attended public rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in front of Awami League central office yesterday.

Dhaka City unit of the 14-party combine organised the public rally protesting attempt on the life of Dhaka City Awami League joint secretary Syed Khokon by hurling bombs on a procession he led near Bangshal on Syed Nazrul Islam Sarani in the city during the first phase of blockade programme on November 14.

Speaking at the rally, Awami League joint secretary Obaidul Quader said the 14-party combine would not participate in any polls under the presidential form of government headed by a partisan president Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and they would certainly take part in the ensuing parliamentary election if it is arranged under a non-party neutral caretaker administration.

"The four-day ultimatum issued by our leader Sheikh Hasina expires today and as the caretaker government didn't accept our 11-point demand, a total rail-road-waterway-port blockade programme will start from this morning and then we will launch an all-out resistance movement that will also include a siege of Bangabhaban if Prof Iajuddin Ahmed fails to prove his neutrality by then," he said urging the people to wholeheartedly observe the non-stop blockade programme to compel the government to accept their demands.

Bitterly criticising BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman for filing a defamation suit against Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and general secretary Abdul Jalil, including himself Obaidul Quader urged the President-cum-Chief Adviser to the caretaker government to publish a white paper on unbridled corruption by the corrupts of the previous government including Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.

"It's a silly matter that Tarique Zia filed a defamation suit against our leaders at a time when ministers of Khaleda Zia's cabinet Anwarul Kabir Talukdar and Alamgir Kabir and the founding member of BNP like Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed, who had deserted the BNP-Jamaat alliance for their limitless corruption recently, brought direct allegation of plundering of public money against them.

Pointing at the President, Workers Party general secretary Bimal Biswas said Prof Iajuddin Ahmed had so far failed to prove his neutrality to the nation in running the state affairs by not holding trial of those perpetrators of grenade and bomb attacks that claimed lives of many people including Ivy Rahman, Shah AMS Kibria. "There will be no alternative left to us but to launch a single-point movement for ouster of Prof Iajuddin Ahmed if he fails to prove his neutrality creating an atmosphere conducive to neutral polls," he said.

Awami League organising secretary Abdul Mannan said Prof Iajuddin Ahmed would be treated as the most hated person in the country if he proceeds with the election schedule in accordance with the dictates of his party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia by ignoring the people's 11-point demand for recasting of the EC and removal of the CEC.

Presided over by Dhaka City Awami League general secretary and City unit coordinator of the 14-party combine, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya (Bir Bikram), the public rally was also addressed by Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, Hajera Sultana, Habibur Rahman Siraj, Omar Ali, Faezuddin Miah, Mukul Chowdhury, Advocate Quamrul Islam, Haji Mohammad Selim, Shahe Alam Murad and Nurur Rahman Selim.

People lost trust in EC : Patricia A Butenis

US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis yesterday said the people of Bangladesh have lost trust in the Election Commission (EC).

She expressed her concern over the ongoing political crisis centring the reconstitution of the EC ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

Patricia Butenis yesterday held a meeting with Power and Energy Adviser Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury at his secretariat office.

The advisers to the caretaker government are trying to impress the president to move forward towards the right direction, Butenis told reporters after her meeting with Hasan Mashhud.

"I think it was clear long ago that the Election Commission has lost the confidence of people of Bangladesh," she said, adding that she is very much concerned that the nation is missing the last chance to resolve the crisis.

"I urge both the four-party and 14-party alliances to resolve the crisis through dialogue with the advisers who are very capable and patriotic," Butenis said, adding that all political parties should show flexibility.

The US envoy urged both the alliances to stay out of streets and refrain from violence. She hoped that the political leaders will move forward for a peaceful solution to the crisis.

The Daily Star, November 20, 2006

Pace of progress for solving crisis worrying: Anwar Chowdhury

The pace of progress for solving the prevailing political crisis in the country is worrying and it would be too late if there won't be an increased level of confidence in the machinery of holding elections.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury told the newsmen after an hour-long meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz and other commissioners at the Election Commission Secretariat yesterday.

"We still don't see any agreements and the confidence that the country desperately seems to be asking for… Yes, it does worry not to see more progress," he said.

He later added: "We must wait towards finding a better consensus."

Asked his suggestions regarding the solution of the crisis, Anwar Choudhury said it would be too late unless there is an increased level of confidence in the machinery in the process of holding successful elections.

He informed that during his meeting with the EC officials they discussed different issues including election preparations, building more confidence among all the political parties, voters' list, security during the elections, international observers and the kind of assistance the EC would need.

"CEC agreed that nothing - no institutions, nobody must stand in the way of holding free, fair and acceptable elections that is critical to the people of this country," said the British High Commissioner.

Replying to a query whether any credible elections would be possible under the present Election Commission, he said it's not a judgement for a diplomat to make. "Obviously, there is a bit of work to be done."

Anwar Choudhury said they are slightly concerned regarding the political situation and security of the country. "It's getting late… the caretaker government has 90 days. The time is running very fast. It is not an easy job."

Asked if the current political crisis was discussed in the meeting, he said the EC officials said they were looking forward to all political parties' cooperation in resisting violence and finding a way forward without street agitation.

"They are asking cooperation to find a consensus on differences they have," the British High Commissioner said.

The Independent, November 20, 2006

Indefinite strike called from today

JCD men attack Chhatra Sangram Parishad activists on DU campus

The Chhatra Sangram Parishad (CSP), an alliance of seven 14-party backed student bodies, has called an indefinite strike at Dhaka University (DU) beginning today protesting an attack on its leaders and activists by Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) men that left at least five injured yesterday.

The CSP, led by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), announced the programme at a press conference and demanded resignation of the DU vice-chancellor and proctor for their failure to maintain law and order.

The campus turned violent in the morning with explosions of several bombs and firing of gunshots by the JCD men when the CSP leaders entered the campus to have a meeting with the university authorities regarding the current state of campus politics and coexistence of the activists of different parties on the campus.

BCL President Mahmud Hasan Ripon and General Secretary Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury Roton led the CSP team.

The JCD men, who were preparing to resist the BCL leaders, rushed to the Registrar Building area to chase the CSP leaders and beat up Mijan and Faruque of Sir AF Rahman Hall and Titu of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall.

Later, the CSP leaders took shelter at the VC's office and held meeting with VC Prof SMA Faiz. During the meeting, the JCD men exploded two crude bombs outside the office, sources said.

At around 1:30pm, when the CSP leaders were leaving the campus with police escort, the JCD activists chased them again firing blank shots and exploding crude bombs.

The Daily Star, November 20, 2006

P A R T Y  N E W S   U P D A T E

CA to be responsible for pushing country towards civil war

President/chief adviser will be responsible for pushing the country into a civil war because he has yet to take an effective action to break the current political impasse, leaders and activists of Jubo Sangram Parishad, a platform of youth bodies of Awami League (AL), said yesterday.

At a press conference, they vowed to resist the BNP-Jamaat cadres in the streets during the non-stop blockade programme demanding removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and reconstitution of the Election Commission.

"It is not reasonable to push the nation into a civil war for a person like CEC MA Aziz. The blueprint of BNP-Jamaat centring the CEC is now forcing the country into a civil war and President Iajuddin will be responsible for this war," said Jahangir Kabir Nanak, chairman of Jubo League, while addressing the press conference at AL central office in the city.

He also said the tenure of BNP-Jamaat government is over but people of the country find no difference between the caretaker government led by Iajuddin and the immediate past government of BNP-Jamaat alliance even after three weeks into his tenure.

He alleged that over 26,000 people were killed in the last five years of BNP-Jamaat government.

"People are confused over the mysterious activities of Iajuddin Ahmed. The president has failed to prove himself as neutral and now he should resign from the post of chief adviser and appoint a new one," he also said while reading out a written statement.

He urged the activists of Jubo League, Jubo Maitree, Jubo Gono Forum, Jubo Samity, Jatiya Jubo Oikya, Jubo Mohila League and Jatiya Jubo Jote to come to the streets and resist the cadres of BNP-Jamaat.

Mirza Azam, general secretary of Jubo League, said it is clear to all that President Iajuddin is not a neutral person and he is trying to materialise the conspiracy of BNP-Jamaat alliance.

He alleged that many activists of Jubo League and Mohila Jubo League have harassed by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in different places across the country.

Among others, Central Jubo Sangram Parishad leaders Nur Ahmed Bakul, Nazmul Haq Prodhan and Advocate Sagir Anwar were also present.

O T H E R S

If President fails to break standoff

BGMEA leaders to stage sit-in protests

Garment factory owners' body yesterday threatened to stage sit-in protests at the entrance of the Bangabhaban, the official residence of the President and Chief Adviser to the Caretaker Government Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, from this (Monday) morning demanding an acceptable solution to the ongoing political deadlock.

Issuing a 12-hour ultimatum to the President, which expires at dawn today, the industry leaders said prior to starting the sit-in programme, they would expect that the President and CA would effective steps to resolve the political deadlock and looming blockade and street protests called by Awami League-led 14-party combine.

"We were hoping that a proper initiative would be taken by the President and CA in due time. But we are frustrated as there is no steps towards addressing the much-talked-about Election Commission (EC) restructuring issue till today (Sunday) even when the entire nation is looking at the Bangabhaban for a hopeful announcement," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President S M Fazlul Huq told newsmen at BGMEA Bhaban.

The apex body chief said the President will be held responsible if anything worse emerges from his (President's) failure to address the crisis properly.

Fazlul Huq narrated the adverse impact of the 14-party enforced blockade, due to resume today after four days break, on the export-import activities.

Speaking on the occasion, former BGMEA President Annisul Huque said public life became unbearable due to 'impatient' political activities.

"We want to see an effective step by the President taking into consideration the interest of the people, and not of any particular political party," he said.

Tipu Munshi, another former BGMEA President said the country's RMG sector already facing a high competition in the international market due to competition of rival countries. He said the ongoing political deadlock already pushed the RMG sector to the brink of collapse as the foreign buyers are trying to pull out of violence-prone Bangladesh. This is making our business and investment more challenging and loss-making, he added.

Other BGMEA leaders expressed fear that another spell of indefinite blockade would spell danger for the country's top foreign exchange earner.

The Independent, November 20, 2006

Free, Fair Polls

Nagorik body places proposals to CA

A five-member delegation of Nagorik Committee 2006 yesterday called on President and Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban and placed a set of recommendations for holding the next election in a free, fair and neutral manner.

They urged the president to reconstitute the Election Commission, bring necessary amendments to the existing Representatives of People Order, take steps for revision of the voter lists excluding false voters and reshuffle the administration at the field level for creating a congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election.

Urging the president to bring necessary amendments to the Representatives of People Order (RPO) 1972, the delegation said it could be done through promulgating an ordinance.

The committee also pointed out the 'required' amendments to the order and presented a draft prepared through dialogues, and discussions with senior lawyers and legal experts.

The delegation also presented some documents to the president and recommendations for immediate and midterm actions for bringing political reforms and meeting people's expectations.

The delegation included Joint Convener of the committee and former finance minister M Syeduzzaman, former cabinet secretary M Mujibul Huq, former adviser of caretaker government Syed Manzur Elahi, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed and the committee's Member Secretary Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya.

The president gave the delegation members a patent hearing and assured them of implementing the recommendations, they told the newsmen after coming out from the Bangabhaban.

The president also sought cooperation from the civil society members for overcoming the existing political crisis, they said.

"We have urged the president to solve the crisis through discussions as the whole nation is waiting with anxiety for a solution," M Syeduzzaman told the journalists waiting at the Bangabhaban gate.

"We have also requested the president to create such an atmosphere during the election so that the competent, honest and dedicated people can participate in the election," he said, adding, "The president assured us that he would actively consider our recommendations."

"We requested the president to do whatever he thinks good for the country without any bias to any political parties," said Syed Manzur Elahi.

Now the president has enormous power and he can utilise the power for welfare of the country, he said.

The whole nation is eagerly waiting to see what the president does to find a way out from the existing political deadlock, said M Mujibul Huq.

Describing the gravity of political deadlock Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed said, "I have never seen such a dangerous situation through which the nation is passing now."

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said the president was also urged to take steps for curbing corruption and the influence of black money and musclemen during the next general election.

The committee members hoped that the president would perform his duties as the president and chief adviser of the caretaker government separately and with transparency.

The delegation apprised the president of the background of the Nagorik Committee and informed him that the recommendations were prepared through 15 national dialogues in different places of the country in last few months.

The delegation told the president that the immediate and meaningful reforms and reconstitution of the Election Commission are demands of time as the nation is passing through a critical situation.

The Nagorik Committee thinks that the initiative taken by the advisers with consultations of the chief adviser can play a vital role in resolving the political impasse.

The nation is eagerly waiting for the president's statement in this regard, the committee observed.

They suggested holding meeting of the advisers with district level officials for creating awareness for keeping the administration out of the political influence.

The committee suggested incorporations of some new provisions in the RPO including compulsory registration of political parties, imposing bar on government officials in participating in the national election within three years of his or her retirement, informing the people about the candidates' income, expenditure, property, tax and liabilities within 72 hours of their financial statements submitted to the returning officers.

The Election Commission should appoint the officials of the National Board of Revenue, Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General for examining the financial statements submitted by the candidates, they said.

The Election Commission should also form election disqualification commission for cancelling the candidature if any allegation of corruption or illegal activity is made against any candidate, they suggested.

The election dispute cases must be resolved within six months of filing the case, they said.

The committee thinks that their recommendations should be implemented for curbing the influence of black money and musclemen and ensuring participation of the competent, honest and dedicated persons in the election.

The Daily Star, November 20, 2006

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