The New Nation - Internet Edition

Kailash Sarkar

The five former cabinet ministers of the past BNP led 4-party alliance government were quizzed in the anti corruption commission office yesterday.

They appeared before the investigation officer of the graft case filed against the detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

This is for the first time in the history of the Republic so many senior former ministers were called to testify in a corruption case before an independent anti graft agency.

The former ministers who gave depositions before the IO of the case were Jamaat Islami, Bangladesh Ameer and former Industry Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami, BNP's sacked Secretary General and former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, former Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman, former Agriculture Minister MK Anwar and former Information Minister M Shamsul Islam.

Three of the five former ministers declined to make any comments about the questioning and two others kept mum. Each of the former ministers was quizzed for about an hour by the three-member board. The board comprised Task Forces-23 member Maj Mostofa Kamal, CID Inspector Nurul Islam and ACC Deputy Director Zahurul Huda, who is also the investigation officer (IO) of the case.

Summoned former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury did not appear before the ACC as he is reportedly now abroad.

Former Health and Family Planning Minister Dr Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain and former Energy State Minister who are now in jail would be questioned at jail gate, as they have already been arrested on other charges, ACC sources said.

The ACC on September 23 summoned eight former ministers as they were members of the Public Procurement Commitee and had approved the Internal Container Depot (ICD) handling tender in favour of Global Agro Trade Company Ltd (GATCO), a firm owned by Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of late and former Shipping Minister Akhbar Hossain, by misusing power and adopting corrupt means.

At a press briefing in the afternoon, ACC Secretary Moklesur Rahman said, "The five former ministers who came to the ACC are most respectable persons. They are law abiding and are cooperating with the investigation."

"As the investigation is on, it is not right to say anything more," he said adding, "There is no need for calling them again as all the former ministers have provided enough information."

Replying to a question on the non-appearance of former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the ACC Secretary said, the summons had been sent to his permanent address. The investigation period is two months and if he does not appear within the period, measures would be taken according to the law.

The ACC also summoned six former secretaries and two joint secretaries in this connection. The summoned former secretaries are Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Dr Sadat Hossain (cabinet), Zakir Hossain (finance), Mirza Tasadduk Hossain, Manik Lal Samaddar, Zulfiker Haider Chowdhury (shipping) and Nazmul Islam, while the joint secretaries are ABM Nurul Islam and ATKM Ismail.

According to sources, the case was filed on September 2 under the ACC Law-2004 and it was brought under the purview of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) on September 17.

At the press briefing, ACC Secretary said the former six secretaries and two joint secretaries would appear before the ACC soon.

According to eyewitnesses, BNP Standing Commitee member and former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman was the first to arrive at 10.50am. None of the vehicles carrying the five former ministers were allowed inside the ACC premises. As Saifur Rahman was sick, his vehicle reached the gate of the ACC building and he was taken before the interrogation board on a wheelchair. After an hour-long quizzing, he left the ACC at 11.55am but did not talk to the waiting journalists at the gate.

BNP's Vice-Chairman and former Information Minister M Shamsul Islam reached the ACC at 11.55am and left at 12 noon. While leaving, he said, "I have talked about many things to the members of the board. But, cannot elaborate as the mater is sub-judice."

BNP's sacked General Secretary and former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan reached the ACC at about 12 noon and left at 1.06pm.

When asked, he replied, "I don't want to say anything. You beter take snaps."

BNP's Vice-Chairman and former Agriculture Minister MK Anwar reached the ACC at 1.05pm and left at 2.07pm without utering a word.

Jamaat Islami, Bangladesh chief and former Industry Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami reached the ACC at 1.45pm along with several hundred of his party workers and left at 2.27pm.

He told journalists on way out, "I shall say nothing as it is a mater under investigation."

When asked why did he approve the tender although it was rejected at first, he replied, "Ask them." He did not identifying who he was referring to and left the ACC.

A huge number of law enforcers were deployed at the ACC yesterday. A number of journalists from different print and electronic media thronged the ACC braving the heavy rainfall throughout the day.

Earlier on September 2, ACC Deputy Director Golam Shahriar Chowdhury filed the graft case with the city's Tejgaon thana accusing BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, six officials of the Chitagong Port Authority (CPA), including its two former chairmen, and four officials of the GATCO.

Of the 13 accused in the graft case, only nine persons, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her son Arafat Rahman, have so far been arrested. The joint forces arrested the mother and the son early morning on September 3.

Among the arrested, three persons gave their confessional statements before the court They are GATCO owner Ismail Hossain Simon, its directors Syed Galib Ahmed and his brother Syed Tanveer Ahmed.

The persons arrested by the ACC are former CPA Chairman AMM Shahadat Hossain, its former Director (transport) AM Sanwar Hossain, former Chief Finance and Accountant Ahmed Abul Qashem, former Director Luthful Kabir, GATCO owner Ismail Hossain Simon, its directors Syed Galib Ahmed and his brother Syed Tanveer Ahmed.

The rest four accused in the case yet to be arrested were, another former CPA Chairman, former Shipping Minister and BNP leader Col (retd) Akbar Hossain's wife Jahanara Ansar, son AKM Musa Kajol and one Ehsan Yusuf.

ACC's DD Zahurul Huda, IO of the case, told The New Nation that the then cabinet commitee on Public Procurement at first had cancelled the tender process as all firms participated in the tender were disqualified. The procurement commitee also had suggested re-tender for the job.

But for unknown reason, the procurement commitee later approved the tender document of GATCO; the IO said adding that the ACC felt it necessary to interrogate the former public procurement commitee members to know the truth behind the approval.

As the GATCO was awarded the tender illegally, the State had to incur an unlawful loss of about Tk 1,100 crore.

BSS, New York

Chief Adviser of caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Monday described Bangladesh as particularly vulnerable to climate change and chronically prone to inundation and called for global efforts to promote 'carbon-neutral' economic growth without disproportionately taxing the poorer nations.

"Developed economies must commit to transferring environment- friendly technologies at preferential terms. Developing countries, especially the LDCs, cannot afford to bear the full cost of technological upgradation of their economies. The post- Kyoto regime must generate new funds. It must also ensure transfer of these technologies to countries like Bangladesh to help secure their energy requirements," he told the high-level thematic plenary on climate change at the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly here.

Bangladesh, the Chief Adviser said, would strongly welcome international initiatives to develop financial derivatives to cope with disasters and adaptation costs.

"A one-meter sea-level rise will submerge about one-third of the total area of Bangladesh thereby uprooting 25-30 million of our people," he warned, adding a climatic disaster in the region is likely to push millions of our people to destitution.

"Today we are confronted with the difficult reality that the phenomenon of climate change is not a myth, and that its impacts are no more a conjecture.

I speak for Bangladesh and many others who are on the threshold of a climate Armageddon, foretold by increasingly violent and unpredictable weather paterns," Dr Fakhruddin voiced the ever-growing concerns of the least developed countries which, he said, ill-afford to absorb the impacts of climate change.

Devastating floods, cyclones, droughts and storm surges are now recurring with relentless regularity, the Chief Adviser pointed out, adding, "Climate change is fundamentally altering our lives, for example by impeding our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals."

The high-level gathering this morning demonstrates that we are collectively and unswervingly determined to address the acute threat posed by climate change, he said.

"Climate change must be addressed now, - and it must be addressed decisively. The price of inaction would be too high," he added.

Heads of state and government of different countries atending the ongoing UN General Assembly also spoke at the first session of the thematic plenary.

Among others, presidents of Argentina, Guatemala, Czech Republic, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola, and prime ministers of Italy, Thailand and South Korea spoke on the occasion when prime ministers of Barbados and Denmark co-chaired the session.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migira was the facilitator.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon chaired the opening session of climate change where President of the 62nd General Assembly Dr Srgjen Kerim and renowned environmentalists of different countries took part in the discussion.

In his speech, the UN secretary-general underscored the need for global initiatives to address the climate change. He also called for transfer of technology and dissemination of knowledge to this end.

Later in the afternoon, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed also co-chaired a session on environment

The high-level plenary event of climate change was divided into four parts--- adaptation, mitigation, financing and technology transfer.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were present at the session.

Dr Fakhruddin pointed out that scientists have long warned us that a 'business as usual' approach will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Drastic measures are now required. Unless we stem the tide of emissions, the increase in global temperatures and sea levels may accelerate, he went on.

The Chief Adviser said response to climate change challenges must strike a balance between mitigation and adaptation.

He urged all major emiters to collectively establish and implement a global target to stabilise the atmosphere over the short, medium and long term.

"The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld. Enlightened self-interest must guide us towards an equitable, yet effective, emission regime," he added.

Dr Fakhruddin said adaptation is necessary to cope with the unavoidable dimensions of climate change, and is essential in ameliorating near-term threats. Adequate physical, economic and institutional capacities can reduce the vulnerability of high- risk communities and groups.

He said access to appropriate adaptation technologies and know-how at affordable terms is critical.

Adaptation to climate change, he said, however, requires a long-term perspective. It needs investment - human and capital. Without sufficient and targeted funding, it may end up as empty rhetoric, he added.

The resource pool - such as the LDC Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund - remain perennially inadequate, the Chief Adviser pointed out the limitations of the UN efforts and added the Adaptation Fund created under Kyoto protocol is yet to operationalize.

Dr Fakhruddin said future framework should include specific commitments towards servicing the current and future adaptation needs and priorities of the most vulnerable economies. The resources required to meet adaptation costs should supplement the ODA that developed countries traditionally pledge for poverty alleviation and other social development

The Chief Adviser called for global commitment to fast- tracking climate funding, often at short notice. "We must also uphold the principle of equity to ensure that the most vulnerable countries, with a larger proportion of their populations at risk, receive proportionately higher amounts of resources earmarked for adaptation."

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed listed different measures undertaken by Bangladesh to facilitate adaptation and said National Water Management Plan (NWMP) takes into account climate change as a critical factor for future water supply and demand.

"We have developed a comprehensive framework to operationalize climate risk management and adaptation mainstreaming," he added.

The Chief Adviser called for a strong need to address the challenges regionally and sub-regionally and said forecasting and early warning and sharing of information can be very effective in reducing damage inflicted by natural calamities.

"We believe that a co-riparian approach to the management of regional waters will help Bangladesh and other regional countries to effectively manage soil erosion, flooding and other natural disasters," he said.

Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh is hosting the first ever meeting of climate change experts in Dhaka in October this year. This will enable us to reach a common position on climate change and adaptation issues prior to the Bali Conference later this year, he added.

"Our environment is a global public good and we must work together to protect it," he said.

The Chief Adviser said time is of the essence, and unilateral action is not enough. "We must turn our words into deeds, and pursue an aggressive strategy to address climate change. The post-Kyoto regime must incorporate concrete, realistic and legally binding emission and equitable reduction targets."

Dr Fakhruddin said, "We must also fully commit to meeting adaptation needs. The Bali Conference must take advantage of the goodwill expressed here to make a new beginning in this respect Waiting any longer will be at our peril."

Pulack Ghatack

The apparel sector, beset with a set of problems including labour unrest, is unlikely to reach its targeted growth by $9 billion this year.

With the interim Government striving to achieve stronger economic growth, Bangladesh earlier aimed to raise RMG exports two-fold to US $18 billion in coming three years.

But the garment industries this year passed a shaky time for various reasons, especially for lower demand from USA market and a sense of uncertainty in the domestic politics.

Tipu Munshi, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and exporters Association, said that they had been passing a dull season but hoped that the situation will improve shortly.

"The garment sector has been experiencing a recession, though there is a huge liquidity in the banks to invest Businessmen are not daring to invest They are afraid, whether they will be able to have the return of their investment," he said.

He feared that indiscriminate labour unrest might occur again in some of the factories before Eid ul Fitr, demanding salaries and dues.

Tipu Munshi said, "Workers have financial hardship. The market prices are beyond their reach. But an employer may not have the ability to increase salaries keeping pace with the soaring market"

He called upon the garment labourers to be reasonable in raising their demands. He also urged the owners to be more sensitive to the working conditions of labours.

The labour unrest that plagued the country's apparel sector has emerged as a big threat to the industry.

The unrest is giving a wrong signal to the international buyers.

Some exporters informed that due to unrest, global firms hesitated to buy from the country, hence the garment industry lost big export orders after the labour unrest of May 2006.

They were diverted to competing countries such as Vietnam, whose export orders rose by 40 percent in this period.

If the compliance issue is not taken seriously, it will become a big obstacle to the RMG sector's progress as labour organizations and media agencies of UK and US are learnt to have engaged in campaigning against RMG sector of Bangladesh.

US Senate is considering a bill titled 'The Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act', which when passed will allow any US citizen or organization to file cases against importers who deal with non-compliant apparel units.

The EU has decided to withdraw the special protection measures on Chinese export clothing in 2008. This decision has concerned Bangladesh, as it may have an adverse effect on country's apparel sector.

Research Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Professor Mostafizur Rahman suggested both garment owners and workers to act in a responsible manner as he thinks the industry is passing through a crucial moment

"Government, BGMEA and BKMEA should closely monitor so that wages are paid to the labours according to the tripartite agreement," he told the New Nation.

The economist urged the owners to maintain all environment and other social compliances in order to increase productivity of the sector. Simultaneously he requested the workers to abide by law and maintain discipline in their demonstrations.

A recent IMF publication has underlined the apprehension that Bangladesh's RMG exports may face tougher competition in its two largest markets - USA and EU - once safeguard restrictions on China expires in 2008.

It also poses Vietnam's appointment to the WTO in January 2007 as a challenge for Bangladesh as of now, the former having access to large international markets to export its RMG.

The IMF evaluation states that though Bangladesh has proven its time-tested export competitiveness in major garment markets, it has certain drawbacks that pull its performance down.

The report said Bangladesh must actively explore new markets to export its garments. The RMG industry in Bangladesh is made up of 3,486 manufacturers and accounts for 76 percent of total foreign exchange earnings.

Staff Reporter

Angry garment workers yesterday morning set ablaze and damaged a number of vehicles following the death of a female garment worker in a road accident at Kanchpur in Rupganj of Narayanganj district

They also put up barricade on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, disrupting the movement of vehicles for one and a half hours.

Unruly workers also injured at least 20 people, including seven policemen, while the law enforcers tried to calm down the commotion.

Police said a bus of 'Meghalay Paribahan' ran over three workers of Jaya Garments at Kanchpur at about 6:45am, killing one on the spot and injuring two others seriously.

The deceased was identified as Jahanara Begum. Injured Rajib and Sohrab were admited to a local hospital.

The accident sparked off violence as the angry workers of Square, Jaya, Sajib and Sinha garments took to the street at about 7:00am.

The enraged workers put up barricade on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, disrupting traffic for hours. They also damaged a number of vehicles and set afire a bus of Meghalay Paribahan.

They also invited the workers of nearby Sinha Garments to join their agitation. But receiving no response, the workers tried to atack Sinha Garments.

At one stage, the unruly workers engaged in clashes with the workers of Sinha Garments. Witnessing this the on-duty Ansars shot blank fire to disperse the agitated workers.

On information, police, rushed to the scene to tackle the situation. But, the workers atacked them with sticks and pelted brick bats, leaving at least 20 people including seven police injured.

Later, RAB and Army reinforcement along with police brought the situation under control at about 9:30am.

AP, New York

President Bush announced new sanctions Tuesday against the military dictatorship in Myanmar, accusing it of imposing "a 19-year reign of fear" that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.

"Americans are outraged by the situation in Burma," the president said in an address to the U.N. General Assembly. Now called Myanmar, the Asian country also is known as Burma.

Bush also urged other nations to support the struggle for democracy in Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon.

"The people of Lebanon and Afghanistan and Iraq have asked for our help, and every civilized nation has a responsibility to stand with them," Bush said.

"Every civilized nation also has a responsibility to stand up for the people suffering under dictatorship," the president said. "In Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Iran, brutal regimes deny their people the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration" of the United Nations.

While the war in Iraq continues, Bush made scant mention of it Similarly, he barely mentioned Iran, a nation the United States accuses of terrorism, pursuit of a nuclear weapon and assistance for insurgents who are killing U.S. troops in Iraq.

Instead, Bush focused his remarks elsewhere, challenging the U.N. to uphold its pledge to fight for freedom in lands of poverty and terror.

"The nations in this chamber have our differences, yet there are some areas where we can all agree," Bush said. "When innocent people are trapped in a life of murder and fear, the declaration is not being upheld. When millions of children starve to death or perish from a mosquito bite, we're not doing our duty in the world. When whole societies are cut off from the prosperity of the global economy, we're all worse off."

"Changing these underlying conditions is what the declaration calls the work of larger freedom and it must be the work of every nation in this assembly," he said. "This great institution must work for great purposes: to free people from tyranny and violence, hunger and diseases, illiteracy and ignorance and poverty and despair."

Bush looked ahead to a Cuba no longer ruled by Fidel Castro, the ailing 81-year-old leader of the communist-run government

"In Cuba, the long rule of a cruel dictator is nearing its end," Bush said. "The Cuban people are ready for their freedom. And as that nation enters a period of transition, the United Nations must insist on free speech, free assembly and, ultimately, free and competitive elections."

Bush urged the U.N. to reform its Human Rights Council, created to replace the discredited Human Rights Commission. But Bush criticized the new body for ignoring abuses in places like Iran "while focusing its criticism excessively on Israel."

"The American people are disappointed by the failures of the Human Rights Council," Bush said. "The United Nations must reform its own Human Rights Council."

But the president's call for change came with the suggestion of a deal: the United States' support for the highly contentious issue of expanding the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful body. Bush suggested that Japan is "well-qualified" to be an additional member and said "other nations should be considered as well."

The council has 10 rotating members elected for two-year terms and five permanent members with veto power - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. Bush said the United States would listen to all "good ideas."

Bush singled out Myanmar for particular atention.

"Basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship are severely restricted," he said. "Ethnic minorities are persecuted. Forced child labor, human trafficking and rape are common. The regime is holding more than a thousand political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party was elected overwhelmingly by the Burmese people in 1990.

"The ruling junta remains unyielding, yet the people's desire for freedom is unmistakable," he said.

Bush said the United States would tighten economic sanctions on the leaders of the regime and their financial backers and impose an expanded visa ban on people responsible for human rights violations, as well as their family members. "We will continue to support the efforts of humanitarian groups working to alleviate suffering in Burma and urge the United Nations and all nations to use their diplomatic and economic leverage to help the Burmese people reclaim their freedom," he said.

The policies came as Myanmar's military government issued a threat Monday to the barefoot Buddhist monks who led 100,000 people marching through a major city. It was the strongest protest against the repressive regime in two decades.

About a dozen anti-war protesters were arrested during a peaceful demonstration of President Bush's speech before the U.N. General Assembly. They were among about 400 people opposing the Bush Administration's war in Iraq, and its incarceration in Guantanamo Bay of more than 300 men on suspicion of terrorism or links to al-Qaida or the Taliban. Many in the crowd wore orange jumpsuit in solidarity with the Guantanamo detainees.

The arrested demonstrators were taken into custody by police after kneeling on the sidewalk in an act of civil disobedience near the United Nations. One of them, 58-year-old Bill Ofenloch of Manhatan, said they were trying to serve an "arrest warrant" on Bush for "high crimes against humanity."

Bush spent Monday trying to revive the Mideast peace process. He was reminded of the hurdles as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas insisted that a U.S. peace conference deal with "issues of substance" - a sign of old skepticism that accompanies new hope.

Late Tuesday morning, Bush was to meet with another friend under tense circumstances, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The Iraqi leader is deeply frustrated over the killing of 11 Iraqi civilians by security guards with Blackwater USA, a private contractor.

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday demanded the release of two detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-immediately according to the expectation of the people and for smooth transition to democracy.

He also asked the Election Commission (EC) to refrain from determining leadership of individual political parties and maintain neutrality in intra-party controversy.

"Former Prime Ministers-BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina-are the peoples' recognised leaders of the country," he said, adding, "There cannot be a meaningful democratic transition keeping the two most popular political leaders in prison."

Khandaker Delwar made these demands while exchanging views with leaders of Zia Parishad, one of the many front organisations of the BNP, at his NAM Building apartment The Zia Parishad leaders went to congratulate him on his assumption of the post of party Secretary General.

Justifying his demands, the BNP Secretary General said the release of Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina is needed also for the sake of politics.

Asking the EC to maintain neutrality in intra-party rivalry, he said the Election Commission should not direct individual political parties to hold Council Session before joining the dialogue on electoral reforms.

"How the Election Commission could say they will issue leter of invitation to us after we approach them following holding our Council Session?" he posed the question.

Khandaker Delwar said, "The Election Commission should invite us not the other (reformist) group since we are the mainstream of the BNP, which is led by Chairperson Begum Zia."

He further argued that the determination of the leadership of individual political parties is not the duty of the EC and it has no jurisdiction to do that

UNB, Dhaka

In line with the European Union (EU)'s guidelines on human rights, Dutch Ambassador in Dhaka Bea Ten Tusscher Tuesday said the EU is keeping watch on the present human rights situation in Bangladesh.

The EU in its human rights guidelines said, in the event of serious human rights violation, EU can take negative measures including suspension of cooperation programmes with third countries and other sanctions to them. "Human rights issue is a continuous process. We are watching the human rights situation here in Bangladesh as we have to report our headquarters about the issue,' the Dutch Ambassador told reporters after atending a roundtable at the Hotel Sheraton.

She said "the money what we spent in the third countries come from the European taxpayers.

So, they want to know about the HR situation in that country where we spend money."

The Embassy of the Netherlands and the European Commission Delegation arranged the roundtable on EU human rights guidelines which covered six key concerns namely death penalty, torture, human rights defenders, human rights dialogue, children and armed conflict and international humanitarian law.

Former caretaker government advisor and executive director of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Advocate Sultana Kamal, Dr Shahdeen Malik of BRAC Law School and Barrister Sara Hossain presented three key notes respectively on human rights defenders, death penalty and fight against torture.

German Ambassador Frank Meyke was among others present

Addressing the roundtable Ambassador Bea Ten said the EU is keen to support efforts in Bangladesh to further strengthen human rights. "Respect for human rights is indispensable to the fostering of a democratic, peaceful prosperous and well-governed country," she said. The envoy said the guidelines are helpful in terms of providing a common EU approach in addressing human rights concerns with governments and civil society across the world, including here in Bangladesh.

EU Ambassador and head of delegation in Dhaka Dr Stefan Frowein said Bangladesh and the EU are both founded on respect for human rights, which has been defined in the EC-Bangladesh Trade and Cooperation Agreement as an essential element of the bilateral relationship. "The European Commission devotes a quarter of its development funding in Bangladesh to good governance and human rights," he said. The EU guidelines require EU to urge third countries to outlaw torture, accede to relevant instruments, co-operate with international mechanisms (UN special Rapporteur) adopt safeguard for places of detention, combat impunity for officials who commited torture and provide reparation for victims of torture. About the death penalty, the guidelines said EU wants universal abolition of death penalty and it urges third countries where death penalty is retrained to abide by minimum standards pending abolition. The guidelines also said where relevant, the EU will raise the issue of death penalty in its dialogue with the third countries whether these have a properly functioning and open Judicial system.

Syful Islam

The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) Tuesday kicked-off third phase of field survey of a study for formulation of action programmes and master plan to propose comprehensive and concrete plan for export diversification in Bangladesh.

JICA earlier identified jute products and computer software as two most potential sub-sectors out of six potential sub-sectors it selected under a study titled "potential sub-sector growth for export diversification in Bangladesh". The other sectors include food processing, pharmaceuticals products, light engineering industry and, electric and electronic products.

Under the third phase of study JICA team will work for production process improvement of private jute mills in Bangladesh and to enhance export competitiveness of computer software products in the international markets. A pilot project will help four jute mills to strengthen international competitiveness by improving productivities and quality and the method will come into wide use in jute mills in the country.

Yasuo Takeuchi will lead the six-members JICA team for the third phase of survey. Other members of the team include Yasuo Uesugi, Naoya Nishigaki, Mamoru Yasui, Hirohumi Yahauchi and Mihoko Oikawa.

The kick-off meeting was held yesterday at the boardroom of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) with Joint Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Mustafa Mohiuddin in the chair. Representatives from EPB, ERD, FBCCI and JICA atended the meeting.

The JICA study revealed that Bangladesh has vast opportunity to diversify its export item and earn huge foreign currency through developing its computer software industry.

JICA will sit with all stakeholders at a day-long strategy workshop titled "problem analysis and pilot project formulation for computer software: most potential sub-sector for diversification of Bangladesh export" on June 25.

According to Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) software sector experienced over 100 per cent growth in the recent years. The present export volume is nearly US$29 million dollar.

However, despite a significant growth software sector in Bangladesh failed to make any good position in country's total export volume. According to the export promotion Bureau readymade garment sector has 74.16 per cent, frozen foods 4.86 per cent, Jute goods 3.55 per cent, leather 2.55 per cent and raw jute sector 1.1 per cent share of the total nearly US$ 11500 million.

Software exporters said lack of government investment and assistance hinders boosting of very much potential software sector.

Mostafa Jabbar, Managing Director of Ananda Multimedia, earlier told this correspondent that the government has no initiative to help develop the software industry. He said the government has declared the IT sector as thrust sector but there is no effort to boost the sector.

Referring to the budget of ICT Ministry's Tk 78 crore he said salary of the ministry employees alone is Tk 74 crore. How much it can invest to develop the sector?

He said during the last six years most of the Equity Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF) went to the pocket of political criminals. No actual businessmen got any single penny from the EEF, he said.

He further said the government earlier participated in two IT fairs abroad to expand market but recently stopped it How Bangladesh's software export can be expanded, he asked.

Staff Reporter

Over 700 Bangladeshi fishermen aboard 50 trawlers, who were feared missing, reportedly have taken shelter in different coastal areas in West Bengal.

They cannot return to their trawlers because of high waves in the Bay of Bengal triggered by sudden storms, according to some of the fishermen, who have contacted their companies in Bangladesh. However, no officials of the External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could confirm the reports.

A high official of the Foreign Ministry said they have asked the Deputy High Commission of Kolkata to look after the issue.

Over 100 fishing trawlers with some 1,200 fishermen on board had gone missing in the Bay of Bengal since last Thursday. Of them 100 were feared dead, according to the survivors.

The trawlers are anchored at Ketua in 24 Parganas district, and Naamkhana and Shankarpur of East Midnapore district, according to reports obtained here from the stranded fishermen.

Indian authorities have been considerate to the fishermen in view of the natural calamity, which forced them to land in India.

"Neither the Indian Border Security Force nor police took any action against them on humanitarian grounds," a local daily quoted boatman Habibur Rahman, who took shelter at Naamkhana, as saying. He also informed that Indian fishermen were assisting them by supplying food and providing security.

Khaleque Bepari, a stranded fisherman of a trawler named "FB Shahalam", informed its owner Monday that about 20 trawlers with around 280 fishermen aboard have taken shelter at Ketua.

He said they could not return home due to high waves in the Bay of Bengal.

Mohammad Ibrahim, another boatman, told his owner that about 30 trawlers took shelter at Shankarpur and Naamkhana.