The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, New York

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed has said the main goal of the present government is to make the country free of corruption as early as possible.

"Corruption must be checked for establishing democracy in the country", he said while speaking as the chief guest at a gathering of the Bangladeshi expatriates at the Seaside Restaurant at the World Fair Marina here on Wednesday night.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Humayun Kabir gave the welcome speech while president of the Prabashi Nagorik Committee Mohadeb Sarker greeted the army chief by giving him a bouquet.

General Moeen said corruption should end forever as it had destroyed democracy and the country.

Mentioning the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, role of the present caretaker government and the Armed forces, he said that the global community was surprised to see what had happened in Bangladesh on October 28, 2006.

"We were belittled among the world community who had watched that how brutally a human being could be killed on the streets. Amidst a caretaker government was established but it had intensified the problems. Nobody was caring about law and the situation became volatile," Moeen said.

He said, at this point of time, the country had three options in front of it: the first was to go for elections that was scheduled on January 22, 2006, the second was to proclaim martial law and the third option was to protect the national existence through establishing an acceptable caretaker government by quickly promulgating the state of emergency.

In this regard, he further said, everybody in the world including Bangladesh at that time was apprehending that martial law was imminent. "But we decided not to follow the footsteps of our predecessors as the third option was adopted" he said.

The Army chief said the law and order was restored as soon as the caretaker government took its office. He pointed out that the country witnessed 34 political killings each month on an average in 2006, which came down to zero at present.

"In 2006, there was a plan to destroy the country's garment industries but we have foiled it successfully. Chittagong Port became inoperative which was made fully operational when we intervened. To meet these ends we did not have to do much but to apprehend a few troublemakers. The present efficiency of the port has increased by 40 percent while the cost has been reduced by 30 percent," he added.

General Moeen said establishment of an effective Election Commission and an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are major success of the caretaker government.

The Election Commission has been preparing the voter list with photographs speedily with the help of the army, he said.

The task of registration of voters will be started in full swing from November and ended within July next year, the General said.

The previous Bureau of Anti-corruption was itself a centre of corruption, Moeen said adding while the present independent ACC has been doing excellent job in checking corruption.

The ACC has filed hundreds of corruption cases and till now 24 persons were convicted in those corruption charges, he said.

Terming the re-establishment of the independent Public Service Commission (PSC) as another success of the government, General Moeen said, in the past, this organization used to take bribe for selection, the bad practice no more exist there. The present government believes in work not only in making commitments, he added.

General Moeen said bringing back of the smuggled money from abroad is going on expeditiously. During the last nine months a total of 129 million US dollar have already been brought back from and deposited to Bangladesh Bank, another 72 million US dollars are in pipeline of reimbursement.

Besides, the work to recover another 240 million US dollar is going on, he informed the expatriates.

The Army chief said, a total of 39 districts of the country have been affected by this year's devastating flood. The members of the armed forces were engaged in conducting relief and rehabilitation works, and mitigating the sufferings of the affected people, he said.

"During the flood, no one died of starvation and for the first time no incident of corruption in relief distribution was reported," Moeen said.

At present the price of essentials remain slightly high, he said adding, but government is trying to keep the price at a tolerable level.

Replying to questions, the Army Chief said, "Inshallah, Bangladesh would not go back to the situation that was prevailing before January 11, 2007."

If required, national security council will be formed and the decision of establishing an independent human rights commission has already been taken, he added.

General Moeen also informed the expatriates that the illegally grabbed lands have been recovered and handed over to the real owners.

Staff Reporter

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed has said that all are freed except 222 corrupt persons whose names were published by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

General Moeen was speaking at a civic rally at New York in the United States on Wednesday.

Responding to a question by an expatriate Bangladeshi, he said the list of corrupt individuals published by the ACC also included the names of several leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. So, the allegation is not true that Jamaat leaders were spared from the corrupt list.

"In fact, those who looted the state's wealth have been sent to jail and it will continue, because the anti-graft watchdog is now being run by completely neutral persons," he said.

The Army Chief said movement of a single individual, except these 222 corrupt persons has not been restricted. "So, it would be a blatant lie if someone claims that the caretaker government was trying to restrict the movements of all," he said.

Replying to a question of Shah Shahidul Huq, president of World Human Rights Inc, General Moeen said formation of a human rights commission in Bangladesh has already been completed.

This commission now awaits a formal announcement.

The Army Chief called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis not to create divisions among themselves over trifle matters. "Perhaps, the caretaker government could not take right decision in one or two cases. But, the entire Bangladesh ought not to be blamed for it," he said.

"Such incidents might happen due to the failures of the persons concerned. So, those who are at abroad must give priority to the interest of Bangladesh."

General Moeen said, "Bangladesh is a country which is all of us. It is not a country of any particular individual or political party. Lack of good governance does not mean that the entire country is bad."

Responding to a question of Colombia University teacher Dwijen Bhattacharya, General Moeen asked, "What's the minority community? We've only one identity and that is we're Bangladeshis. No one would be able to create division among us identifying us as majority or minority."

Replying to another question, the Army Chief said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is "our Father of the Nation." "There is no scope to create any controversy over this matter. It has already been included in the textbooks. In fact, Bangabandhu and former president Ziaur Rahman are the respected personalities to us. So, it would not be wise to create any controversy bringing them into politics," he said.

The Army Chief addressed the civic rally of eminent persons of the Bangladesh community on the first day of his weeklong visit to the United States at the invitation of globally renowned Harvard University.

The Bangladesh Embassy at Washington organized the rally at World Fair Marina Restaurant at Queens in New York City. It was also addressed by Bangladesh Ambassador Humayun Kabir.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ismat Jahan was present at the rally.

General Moeen will hold talks with the president of current session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters this morning. Later, he will exchange opinion on various issues with the media in New York.

The Army Chief is scheduled to hold talks with Congressman Joseph Crowley, who is the co-chair of Bangladesh Caucus in the US Congress tonight.

Later, he will visit Florida, where his son and brother live.

General Moeen will hold a breakfast meeting with eminent persons in Florida tomorrow and address a rally of the Bangladesh community on Sunday morning. Afterward, he will leave for Harvard University in Boston to deliver an address on Bangladesh situation.

AP, Karachi

Benazir Bhutto made a dramatic return to Pakistan on Thursday, ending eight years of exile to reclaim a share of power with the country's U.S.-backed military leader. More than 150,000 jubilant supporters gathered to greet her amid massive security.

Bhutto, who is expected to seek the premiership for an unprecedented third time and partner in ruling Pakistan with U.S.-backed President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was in tears as she descended the steps of a commercial flight that brought her from Dubai to Karachi, where jubilant crowds of flag-waving, drum-thumping supporters waited to give her a rousing welcome.

"I counted the hours, I counted the minutes and the seconds, just to see this land, to see the grass, to see the sky. I feel so emotionally overwhelmed," said Bhutto, who wore a white headscarf and clutched prayer beads in her right hand.

"And I hope that I can live up to the great expectations which people here have," she said.

She said she was fighting for democracy and to help this nuclear-armed country of 160 million people defeat the extremism that gave it the reputation as a hotbed of international terrorism.

"That's not the real image of Pakistan. The people that you see outside are the real image of Pakistan. These are the decent and hardworking middle-classes and working classes of Pakistan who want to be empowered so they can build a moderate, modern nation,"

Bhutto, 54, fled Pakistan in the face of corruption charges in 1999. It would take a constitutional amendment for her to be prime minister again; Pakistani law bars leaders from seeking a third term.

Authorities have mounted a massive security operation to protect her from possible attack by militants. But the precautions failed to dampen the spirit of huge crowds forming in Karachi.

Hundreds of buses and other vehicles festooned with billboards welcoming her back were parked bumper-to-bumper along the boulevard from the airport to the city center. A huge red, green and black flag of her Pakistan People's Party hung from one apartment block overlooking the route.

Supporters including representatives of Pakistan's minority Christian and Hindu communities and Baluch tribesmen with flowing white turbans, walked toward the airport, while groups of men performed traditional dances, beat drums or shook maracas along the way.

Azad Bhatti, a 35-year-old poultry farmer from the southern city of Hyderabad said he had "blind faith" in Bhutto's leadership.

"When Benazir Bhutto is in power there is no bomb blast because she provides jobs and there is no frustration among the people," he said. "whatever she thinks is for the betterment of the people."

Bhutto paved her route back in negotiations with Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup. Musharraf, whose popularity has waned as violence by Islamic radicals has risen, is promising to give up his command of Pakistan's powerful army if he secures a new term as president.

The talks have yielded an amnesty covering the corruption cases that made Bhutto leave Pakistan in the first place, and could see the archrivals eventually team up to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Before boarding her flight from Dubai, Bhutto told reporters that her homecoming felt like a miracle.

"I hope that, as this miracle is happening, that a miracle will happen for the impoverished and poverty-stricken people of Pakistan who are desperate for change, who want safety, who want security, who want opportunity, who want empowerment and employment," she said.

Outside Karachi airport, police baton-charged one group of supporters who approached the VIP terminal, where Bhutto was expected to arrive after landing. But with the crowds swelling, they later relaxed the cordon and let thousands of flag-waving PPP partisans to gather round the building.

Raza Hussain Shah, a senior police officer at the airport, said 20,000 officers were deployed there and along the route into the city. Officials said police bomb squads and thousands of paramilitary troops and party volunteers were also charged with maintaining security.

Bhutto, whose two elected governments between 1988 and 1996 were toppled amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement, hopes to lead her secular, liberal party to victory in parliamentary elections in January.

Many Pakistani are skeptical that Bhutto can meet her promises.

"People are intelligent now, they don't buy this rubbish," said Kamran Saleen, a 38-year-old businessman who lives near Karachi airport. "They know politicians can't make much difference."

The crowd seemed smaller than the 1 million Bhutto claimed had turned out to welcome her. Its size was estimated at 150,000, strung along a four-mile stretch of the road, said a senior provincial official. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release the estimates.

Government spokesman Muhammad Ali Durrani called the event a flop.

"It is the PPP workers' response and not the public response and even the workers' response is much less than what she was expecting," Durrani said.

Still, the gathering was larger than most of her rivals could hope to muster, and it showed that Bhutto's party machinery remained intact despite her absence.

Bhutto was to travel on a truck equipped with a bulletproof glass cubicle to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, to make a speech.

Authorities had urged her to cover the 10 miles by helicopter to reduce the risk of attack. But Bhutto, hated by radical Islamists because she supports the U.S.-led war on terrorism, brushed off the concerns.

"I am not scared. I am thinking of my mission," she told reporters on the plane. "This is a movement for democracy because we are under threat from extremists and militants."

Musharraf has seen his popularity plunge since a failed attempt to oust the country's top judge in the spring. The rapprochement with Bhutto appears aimed at boosting his political base as he vies to extend his rule.

He easily won a vote by lawmakers Oct. 6 to give him a new five-year presidential term.

The Supreme Court, however, has ruled that Musharraf's victory can only become official once it rules on challenges to the legality of his re-election.

At a hearing Thursday, presiding Justice Javed Iqbal said the court hoped to issue a ruling within 10 to 12 days.

The court is also examining the legality of the amnesty.

Staff Reporter

In a major administrative reshuffle, the Government yesterday transferred chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Badiur Rahman to the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management as Secretary.

In a circular, the Ministry of Establishment said yesterday that NBR chairman Badiur Rahman, also the Secretary of the Internal Resources Division, was transferred to the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management.

Planning Commission Member Mohammad Abdul Mazid has been made the new NBR chairman, said the Establishment Ministry circular.

He was promoted to the post of Secretary on September 18.

Badiur Rahman's transfer was a much-talked-about issue for the administration and the media yesterday. He was made the NBR chairman on January 21 last.

Three other Secretaries have also been transferred, the circular said.

Dhiraj Malakar, Secretary to the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, has been transferred to the Planning Commission as Member.

AMM Nasir Uddin, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Division, has also been made member of the Planning Commission.

The Executive Chairman of Board of Investment (BoI), Mohammad Mohsin, has been made Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

Meanwhile, Abdul Majid, the new chairman of the NBR, said that he had got a "national duty".

"It's a national duty. I would be happy to contribute to the economy and the country," he told journalists in his instant reaction.

Asked whether he would press on with the tax collection measures taken by his predecessor, Majid said: "Let me join first. I want support from all."

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin on Thursday advised the judges of subordinate courts to deliver evenhanded justice to people as the judiciary becomes independent of the executive control from November 1.

"We have to prove our capability through our works in fulfilling the long-desired aspiration of the people about dispensation of justice," he said while inaugurating an orientation programme for the district and sessions judges at the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI).

Sixty-three district and sessions judges are participating in the programme. These judges will monitor the performance of the judicial magistrates from November 1.

Terming the newly introduced judicial magistrates at the subordinate courts as members of the same family in the judiciary, the Chief Justice said some mess still exists in dispensation of justice at magistracy level, but he did not elaborate.

He urged the judicial magistrates to function cautiously while dealing with criminal cases where people have extensive involvement.

On disposing of application of an accused for granting bail before a magistrate's court, Justice Amin said the necessary order in this regard should be delivered at open court instead of Khas Kamra (Judge' s Chamber) to avoid any whispering. "Why should we shoulder the share of such whispering?"

Presided over by JATI director general Justice Hamidul Haque, the inaugural session was also addressed by Law Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein and Justice MM Ruhul Amin of the Appellate Division.

BSS, Dhaka

Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein said without ensuring justice to people it is not possible to establish a justice-based state, good governance and democracy in the country.

The law adviser said the persons like judges, ministers and advisers should be accountable to people, who are the source of state power.

He was addressing the second day of a two-day orientation programme for district and sessions judges, who are appointed as chief judicial magistrates, in the seminar room of the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI).

The JATI in association with the DANIDA organised the programme with JATI Director General Md Hamidul Haque in the chair.

Barrister Mainul said people are still isolated from the state power, as the persons in the state power often forget that the power belongs to the people. It is their responsibility to exercise the power for ensuring service to people, he said.

There are still some who think that the state power or the executive power is the privilege of those who are in state power," the law adviser agreed saying, "Of course, it is a privilege for them and an honour as well, but it is for providing service to the people."

Barrister Mainul urged the chief judicial magistrates to perform their duties independently keeping themselves above bias as such an atmosphere has now been created.

He said, "Reality is that much courage is needed for ensuring justice in the country and like the Chief Justice I also believe that the judges have got such quality to face the challenges of their services and I have full faith in them."

A total of 62 district and sessions judges participated in the programme.

UNB, Dhaka

Enacting law is not enough for the Election Commission Secretariat's independence rather goodwill of political parties as well as political governments is a prerequisite, CEC Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said Thursday, responding to politicians' critical observations.

He expects that the EC secretariat would become truly independent before the next election, and made it clear that they are the final arbiters in matters of elections at present as well.

Meanwhile, the Chief Election Commissioner said they would request the government to lift the state of emergency countrywide from December since local-body elections are to be held from March next year.

"Goodwill is the main factor here. Enacting law is a condition. Even the independent EC secretariat wouldn't have any authority if there wouldn't be the political government's goodwill since any government can keep it (the EC secretariat) dysfunctional if wished," CEC Huda told reporters on Thursday afternoon after holding an internal meeting throughout the morning.

Rejecting as "irrational" Awami League's comment that the EC is dependent, the CEC said the political leaders should make specific allegation instead of sweeping criticism.

"The present EC secretariat is totally independent. The government already has given us a total of Tk 572 crore. We can do whatever we want. We are not feeling dependent. However, we are expecting to be independent before next election. But it is being delayed due to some reasons."

Explaining the reasons, Huda said the matters should be examined as to how the independent EC would run in accordance with the Constitution and work with the Finance and Establishment Ministry and what would be the government's rules of business in this regard. He reminded that it is the EC that had first said 18 months are required to hold elections and then the government spoke the same. The government would speak different if the EC had not been independent, he argued.

"Some proposals have also been made for appointing Election Commissioners since you saw the earlier commissioners here and in the Anti-Corruption Commission also. A draft has been made on who could hold these constitutional posts."

About AL leader Suranjit Sengupta's remark that the EC- sponsored dialogue with the political parties on electoral reforms would not succeed since the EC is not independent, CEC Huda asserted that he does not take orders from anyone. "I announced the election roadmap and I would work accordingly. And the political parties would sit for the dialogue in their own interest."

Asked if the local elections are to start from January next as per the election roadmap, he replied in the negative. "Updating would take place in January according to the rule of our voter list. The elections may start in March or April."

The CEC further said that they would request the government in time to lift the state of emergency countrywide from December. About the countrywide campaign for preparing the photo voter list plus national identity (NID) card, he said the campaign would start from November across the country.

The Election Working Group (EWG) is campaigning locally and the district election officers are monitoring the programme. Moreover, he said, the cell-phone companies are also to take part in the campaign through their advertisements and sending SMS to the subscribers from next month.

UNB, Dhaka

Export earning in the first month (July) of the current fiscal year fell 33 percent short of the month's target of US$ 1,341 million due to decline in volume.

It also declined 21 percent to US$ 902 million from US$ 1,143 million during the same month last fiscal year, according to Export Promotion Bureau figures released on Thursday.

The government set an export target of US$ 14.5 billion for the fiscal 2007-08 with a growth rate of 19.07 percent over 2006-07. "Manufacturing activities were mostly affected due to lack of business confidence amid ongoing anti-corruption drive," said an apparel industry exporter. He said the export figures would continue to show sluggish trend until September '07, but predicted an up trend from the current month (October '07) with increased shipments.

According to EPB figures, export quantity declined 21 percent in the month of July while prices remained steady. However, prices of primary products increased over 14 percent while those of manufactured products declined by more than one percent. Earnings from the main export sector suffered setback during the month with woven garments falling about 31 percent short of the target to US$ 345 million and declined 24 percent from the same month previous year.

Knitwear also dropped 31 percent from the target to US$ 347 million and 23 percent from July '06.

Earning from frozen food exports fell 17 percent short of the target to US$ 46 million and 12 percent from the same month previous year. Other major items that recorded decline from the target and previous year's performance were home textiles, engineering products, handicrafts, leather and leather products, chemical products, ceramic products, computer services, jute goods, petroleum byproducts, terry towel, textile fabrics and electronics.

Export earnings from vegetables, cut flower and agro-processed foods crossed both the period's target and last year's performance while raw jute, footwear and tea did better than last year's performance but fell short of their respective targets.

UNB, Dhaka

Mutual Legal Assistant Treaty (MLAT) and SAARCPOL are likely to figure prominently at the second SAARC Home Ministers conference to be held in New Delhi on October 23-26. LGRD Advisor Anwarul Iqbal will lead a 9-member Bangladesh delegation to the conference that would also discuss issues like smuggling of drugs, women-children trafficking and money laundering. Under the proposed MLAT, SAARC member states would extend legal cooperation to each other in dealing with arresting criminals, checking drug smuggling and women trafficking.

Briefing newsmen after an inter-ministerial meeting on preparation for the SAARC Home Ministers conference, Advisor Anwarul Iqbal said the Delhi conference would also discuss the formation of SAARCPOL in the model of EUROPOL.

The issue of SAARCPOL (SAARC Police) was discussed and agreed in principle at the first SAARC Home Ministers conference held in Dhaka last year.

Iqbal, a former Inspector General of Police, said they would also raise the issue of bringing back 600 to 700 Bangladeshi terrorists now hiding in India.

The delegation would include Home Secretary Abdul Karim and IGP Nur Mohammad.

According to conference schedule, meetings of the SAARC police chiefs will be held on October 23, Home Secretaries on October 24, Home Ministers on October 25 and roundtable representing all on October 26.

Staff Reporter

In a move to make applying for a visa to the UK more straightforward and convenient, the British High Commission in Dhaka has announced introduction of a new, simpler visa application forms and unveiled online applications.

The new forms include simple step-by-step instructions, directing applicants to the next question, explaining how to complete each section and avoiding technical jargons, said a British High Commission news release yesterday (Thursday).

The forms to be completed in English, also come with comprehensive guidance notes explaining how to answer the questions, and what documents the applicants will need to submit with their application.

With effect from October 29, all visa applicants applying for a visa/entry clearance to the United Kingdom will need to use the new application forms.

These forms will be available from the local VFS offices in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong and from the UKvisas’ website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk . Visa application centres will continue to accept the old forms up until November 9 after which applicants must use the new application forms. After this date applicants must use new application forms.

In a parallel move, the British High Commission has also unveiled for the first time in Bangladesh, online UK visa applications.

From October 29, applicants will be able to submit applications electronically via the VFS website: www.vfs-uk-bd.com.

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said, “This is a good news for applicants. More straightforward application procedures mean that our visa section is less likely to need to ask genuine applicants for more information or call them in for interviews. This will mean applications can be dealt with even more quickly.”

The High Commissioner said, “We warmly welcome genuine applicants to the UK and we continue to look for ways to provide a world-class service for them. The convenience and efficiency of online applications is a sign of our commitment to modernise and make things easier for people.”