The New Nation - Internet Edition

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.