The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed has said the present caretaker government came to power to reestablish democracy. But, everybody should remember that corruption engulfs democracy. So, war against corruption will continue as long as it can be brought down at tolerable level.

"Anti-corruption drives will continue as long as the present caretaker government remains in power," he said while addressing a reception hosted in honour of him at Breakers' West Club Auditorium at West Palm Beach in Florida Saturday evening.

General Moeen observed that there are many challenges before the caretaker government. The major challenge is that those who got indulged in corruption and those who were benefited from it would try to frustrate the government's initiatives. "Obviously, it is a major challenge to move the anti-corruption drive forward by countering these elements. And, I want to assure you that we will not stop whatever the obstacles are ahead of us," he said.

In his 22-minute long speech, the Army Chief said Bangladesh got its independence at the cost of many sacrifices. Now, time has come to build the nation in real sense.

"All of you know it very well that the country was divided in different ways during the last 36 years. The objectives of the independence are yet to be achieved. It is our duty to move the country forward achieving the economic freedom," he said.

General Moeen said, "We have divided the country from the very beginning by not giving due respect to our Father of the Nation.

Rather, we have done politics using him name and fame. In the same way, we did not give due respect to late President Ziaur Rahman. Let us join in hands to unite the country declaring these two leaders and other leaders as national leaders."

The Army Chief said it is known to all that in what context the present caretaker government took over power. The law and order deteriorated to such an extent that it seemed some quarters were trying to make the country a failed state. Moreover, attempts were made to turn the country into Somalia. At that time, the armed forces and other security forces felt that it was not only their sole responsibility to protect the country from foreign enemies, but also to protect the country from internal enemies.

General Moeen further said, the caretaker government took over only to save the nation from impending catastrophe. The armed forces are only assisting the government to hold a free and fair election, he said explaining the role of the Army in the present government.

"All the security forces, including the Army have come forward to assist the caretaker government. The army has come forward to assist the new caretaker government sacrificing everything. It is the prime task of caretaker government to handover power through holding a free, fair and credible election, and the army have been assisting the government to achieve that objective," he said.

General Moeen said the present caretaker government has taken various reform measures. It wants corruption-free politics, corruption-free economy and corruption-free everything. Under the reform measures, the first task of the caretaker government was to reconstitute the Election Commission and the government has done it. Secondly, reconstitution of the Anti-Corruption Commission, because the commission constituted earlier was two years and four months old. During this lengthy period, they could not bring anyone before justice for corruption. People of that ACC were corrupt.

He said after placing the ACC under the leadership of an eligible person, 28 individuals were jailed and fined through trials within only six months. Cases have been filed against many others and investigations are also going on. If they were found guilty in courts, they would also be awarded jail sentence.

"However, I can assure you that those who will not be found guilty, they will not be given any punishment," he said. "If the name of someone has been included in the list, he or she will not have to go to jail if they can prove in court that they were not involved in any wrongdoing," he said.

General Moeen also called upon the expatriate Bangladeshi business community in the USA to invest for the development of the country.

He said an investment-friendly atmosphere is now prevailing in the country following anti-corruption drive and other pro-active steps taken by the caretaker government to restore business confidence.

He urged the expatriate community to extend their cooperation to promote the welfare of the country's disadvantaged people.

"We should extend helping hands to those underprivileged so that the whole society can move forward," he said.

General Moeen also urged them to shun petty differences and work unitedly for the development of the nation.

Referring to the situation in power sector, he said the power sector witnessed a severe set back in the past fifteen years. Only 2,800 mw of electricity was put in all to the national grid before the present caretaker government came to power.

He said the government can enhance the present generation capacity up to 4,000 mw only by putting in place proper maintenance and repairing of the existing plants. Load shedding has come down to a large extent in the recent days, he said.

Referring to price of essentials, he said the commodity prices have gone up in the international market, except sugar. The government has meanwhile taken several steps to stabilize the market and keep it at tolerable level.

Community leader Shawkat Hossain presided over the reception. It was also addressed by community leaders Shamim G Khan and Abul Kalam Azad. The reception was conducted by Atiqur Rahman and Nazmun Nahar Una.

Noted businessman Mahfuz Ahmed handed over a crest to the Army Chief on behalf of the expatriates living in Florida.