The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury Thursday said Bangladesh has got a chance of seting a new trend of enduring democracy through a free and credible election. "I see the country is at the transition, at a crossroad" that may take it to the road of fast growing Asian economies like Kuala Lumpur. The envoy made the remarks at an iftar party at Dhaka Club hosted by the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) Bangladesh Chapter. Choudhury said Bangladesh has great potential and the country could be taken to a new height in next 10 years with vision and determination of the people.

He said Britain feels proud of Bangladesh being a democracy, but there are challenges that could be overcome through concerted efforts by all.

Referring to common values among the Commonwealth countries, the envoy said language, tolerance, democracy, human rights and the freedom of expression bind the members of the commonwealth together. He said the members of the CJA could project those values in correct perspectives to atain common goals and common benefits. The High Commissioner said Britain is going to launch a 100 million dollar English Learning Project for students from 2009 so they can have access to modern education and technology. Earlier, CJA Global President Hassan Shahriar gave a brief resume on activities of the CJA. Mizanur Rahman Shelly, chairman of Center for Development Research Bangladesh, and CJA Bangladesh president Farid Hossain also spoke on the occasion.

Editors and senior journalists atended the iftar and exchanged views on present political developments in Bangladesh.