The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed has said the Anti-Corruption Commission is engaged in eradicating corruption and the army has nothing to do with detained leaders, including Sheikh Hasina facing corruption charges.

Gen Moeen, who went to the USA at the invitation of John F Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University, addressed students and teachers, including Bangladeshi students at Harvard University on Tuesday afternoon.

He also replied questions from the audience where Sheikh Hasina's son Sajib Wajed Joy posed question about her mother and next general elections.

When asked about his mother Hasina's release on bail, General Moeen told Joy that release on bail before trial entirely depends on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

"Her (Hasina) release is not under my jurisdiction. Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested her on charge of corruption and the army has nothing to do in this regard. There is nothing to hide and seek here," he said.

"Trial of those who were arrested for corruption charges is taking place in open courts according to the laws of the land. The Army has no influence on it," General Moeen said.

"Law will take its own coursetI would be the happiest man if she is able to come out of jail proving herself innocent," he was quoted as having said by American News Agency (ANA).

Responding this answer to the Army Chief, Joy expressed the hope that the government would not try to influence the law in any way. "If it can be ensured my mother will come out of jail proving herself innocent," he said.

When Joy asked that talks about political parties' reforms are being said, but no initiative has been taken to hold talks with party leaders and workers, General Moeen said the Election Commission would complete the process of reforms or registration holding talks with the political parties concerned.

"It's the responsibility of the EC to hold talks with the political parties about their reforms. Preparation of voter lists and voter ID cards has already started. The EC has also expressed their determination to hold the polls in designated time-frame," he said.

When asked whether it was possible to bring reforms in political parties keeping politicians outside the process, the Army Chief said the Election Commission has taken the initiatives of political reforms to establish the democracy on a strong foundation and make it sustainable.

The Army Chief said nobody would be able to forget that horrific scenes of killing people out of political vengeance. Bangladesh was becoming champion in corruption again and again. The entire country and its people became hostages to the petty interest of individuals. "In such a situation, emergency was declared in the country and the army supported it, because the army is a part of the government. However, there is no alternative to election to make the democratic process effective," he said.

Replying to the questions of students, General Moeen said the trials of those who were arrested on charge of corruption are being taking place according to the existing laws of the land in open courts. "It's not any secret trial. Anyone aggrieved can appeal to the verdicts of the courts. Besides, the government is very much cautious about whether any human rights violation is taking place. Allegations of violation of human rights against one or two army officers have been investigated instantly," he said.

The Army Chief said many people proposed declaring martial law in the context of the situation in the country at that time. "But, the Bangladesh Army is respectful to democracy. That is why the democratic process has been protected through the state of emergency instead of declaring martial law," he said.

There were as many as 25 teachers and students who took part in the question and answer session with the Army Chief. After the luncheon, General Moeen formally addressed the students and replied to their questions.

On the proposed national government, General Moeen said there are opinions against it. "I have nothing to say anything else in this regard," he said.

Two students present at the function observed that General Moeen's remarks were very positive in the greater interest of the country and the nation. "We have become very much encouraged by his words and deeds," one of the students said.

Dr David King, a noted professor of Harvard University, and Gauhar Rizvi, among others, were present.

Ending his week-long visit to the United States, General Moeen left JFK Airport for China Tuesday morning. At that time, he was seen off by Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Humayun Kabir and Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ismet Jahan.